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Dasebre Osei Bonsu II laid to rest
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For the first time in nearly a century, a sitting Mamponghene has passed away while occupying the revered Amaniampong Silver Stool – marking a rare and historic moment in Asante chieftaincy.
The death of Dasebre Osei Bonsu II on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025, at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi, dispels a long-standing public belief that no Mamponghene had ever died in office.
This misconception, rooted in the region’s history of succession disputes and destoolments, has now been challenged by this solemn reality.
While some historians assert that Dasebre Osei Bonsu II was the only chief to have died while occupying the Silver Stool in its 98-year history, the last occupant of the Silver Stool to have passed away was believed to have died in the 1930s.
Since then, almost all successive chiefs had either been destooled or abdicated for one reason or another, until the enstoolment of Dasebre Osei Bonsu II, 26 years ago.
But, others suggest otherwise, pointing to the existence of about 10 black stools in Mampong—a sacred symbol in Akan tradition.
In Akan custom, the Black Stool is created when a chief dies in office. It becomes a revered object, believed to hold the spirit of the deceased leader, serving as a spiritual bridge between the living and the ancestors. This symbol ensures the continuity of leadership and preserves the ancestral legacy of the stool’s occupant.
The late chief’s mortal remains was laid in state at the Amaniampong Silver Stool Palace, where traditional rites were held to elevate his stool to Black Stool status—a transition that enshrines his memory among the ancestral guardians of Mampong and Asanteman.
Dasebre Osei Bonsu II was respected within the Asante Kingdom. As Mamponghene, he served as Vice President of the Ashanti Regional House of Chiefs and a member of the Standing Committee of the National House of Chiefs.
Notably, in 1999, he served as Acting Asantehene following the death of Otumfuo Opoku Ware II—underscoring the immense responsibilities of the Silver Stool as the traditional seat of Asanteman’s second-in-command.
The three-day Dɔte Yie burial rites commenced on Friday, June 6, with the Adwaredeɛ(widowhood) ceremony. During this rite, the family of his widow, Oheneyere Gyimah Kesse, presented symbolic items—including a chief’s crown and a stool adorned with the royal totem—to the Bretuo Royal Family, signifying the chief’s dual roles in state and spirit.
Mamponmanhemaa Nana Agyakoma Dufie received the offerings, which reflected the cultural and spiritual depth of the occasion. A solemn Anglican service followed, paying tribute to the chief’s Christian faith.
On Saturday, the body remained in state as ritual performances, dirges, and spiritual invocations were conducted by traditional priests and priestesses.
Sub-chiefs, queen mothers, dignitaries from the Ashanti and Bono regions, and citizens filed past in reverence.
Nana Agyakoma Dufie led the ceremonial viewing, followed by the widow, daughter, and other family members. The public was later invited to pay final respects, deepening the collective mourning.
The Dɔte Yie concluded on Monday, June 9. Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II graced the final rites, alongside paramount chiefs, members of the Regional and National Houses of Chiefs, as well as political leaders.
This moment marked a profound cultural transition—one not seen in nearly four generations of Mamponghene succession.
The official announcement of his death was made on Monday, April 28, 2025, after the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, had been informed.
President John Mahama, a guest at the ceremony was accompanied by several Ministers of State and party faithful and former presidents John Agyekum Kufuor and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings.
President Mahama made a cash donation of GH₵250,000 with the immediate past President, Nana Akufo-Addo, also donating GH₵200,000.
From Kingsley E. Hope, Mampong
The Bono Regional Drug Law Enforcement Unit has arrested a 66-year-old woman and her 29-year-old son after police allegedly found suspected Indian hemp, Tramadol and other restricted drugs in their rooms at Dormaa Ahenkro.
The suspects, Mary Awuni and Maxwell Akukah, were arrested during an intelligence-led operation at Kumi Daa Street, a suburb of the Dormaa Central Municipality.
According to the Bono Regional Police Command, a search conducted in their rooms led to the recovery of 147 yellow compressed slabs wrapped in sellotape and suspected to be Indian hemp.
Police also retrieved 270 boxes and 329 blisters of assorted Tramadol, 14 blisters of Rohypnol, GH¢87,751 and CFA 2,000.
The police explained that Mary Awuni was found with a metal trunk containing the 14 blisters of Rohypnol, GH¢72,612 and CFA 2,000.
She allegedly told investigators that the items and money had been given to her by a man in Accra to be delivered to another person in Côte d’Ivoire. However, she admitted ownership of the items found in her room.
Her son, Maxwell Akukah, was arrested in a separate room where the suspected Indian hemp, Tramadol and GH¢15,139 were found.
He allegedly claimed that the items belonged to his brother, Anthony, who was said to be outside Dormaa Ahenkro.
In a press release issued on September 4, the Bono Regional Police Command stated that the two suspects remain in custody and are assisting with investigations.
The police added that investigations were ongoing to identify and prosecute all persons found to be involved.
The Command assured the public of its commitment to combating narcotics-related offences and urged residents to provide credible information to help police protect communities and maintain public safety.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Ashanti Region have been crowned champions of the 2026 MTN Elite U-19 Championship after edging defending champions Eastern Region 4-3 in a pulsating final at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence, Prampram.
The final provided a fitting climax to 11 days of exciting football, delivering a seven-goal thriller at the GFA Technical Centre on Friday.
In a contest full of attacking intent and drama, Eastern Region fought back three times but Ashanti held their nerve to dethrone the holders and send the trophy to Kumasi.
Ashanti made a blistering start and took the lead in the 7th minute through Mohammed Dayvon. Eastern responded quickly, with Umar Archraf levelling matters in the 12th minute.
Issah Seidu restored Ashanti’s advantage six minutes later, but Tetteh Narh again drew Eastern level at 2-2 before the break in what was a fiercely contested first half.
The second half followed a similar pattern. Elvis Kwarteng put Ashanti ahead for the third time in the 78th minute with a performance that would later earn him the Final’s Most Valuable Player award.
Eastern refused to give up and equalised again three minutes later to make it 3-3, setting up a tense finish.
But their joy was short-lived. Substitute Emmanuel Boateng struck the winner in the 82nd minute to seal a dramatic 4-3 victory for Ashanti.
Eastern piled on pressure in the closing stages, but Raphael Amankwah’s side stayed resolute to see out the win.
The triumph capped an impressive campaign for Ashanti, who showed consistency and resilience throughout the tournament.
Individual Honours
Elvis Kwarteng was named Most Valuable Player of the final, while Central Region’s Desmond Korlettey was adjudged Overall Most Valuable Player after winning four MVP awards during the tournament.
Central Region also picked up the Fair Play award, while Ashanti’s Raphael Amankwah was named Best Coach.
Kelvin Osei Owusu of Ashanti won Best Goalkeeper, with Greater Accra’s Dennis Adjei finishing as Top Scorer with six goals.
The closing ceremony was led by Chairman of the Championship Committee, Hon. Eric Edem Agbana, and MTN representative Andy Cofie, joined by Executive Council members Samuel Aboabire and Eugene Noel Nobel, Juvenile Committee Vice-Chairman Samuel Anim Addo and Black Satellites head coach Maxwell Konadu.
Reserved exclusively for Second Division players, the championship once again proved a vital platform for discovering and showcasing Ghana’s next generation of talent.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
