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Dasebre Osei Bonsu II laid to rest
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
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Prioritise affordable treatment of sickle cell treatment —Health Expert
Health experts have urged Ghana to prioritise affordable and accessible treatment for sickle cell disease (SCD) as advanced, but costly curative therapies remain out of reach.
SCD, an inherited blood disorder, affects about three in every 100 newborns in Ghana.
Globally, around 1,000 babies are born with the condition daily, with three-quarters in sub-Saharan Africa.
The disease causes severe complications including chronic pain, anaemia, infections, strokes and organ damage, often leading to shortened life expectancy.
In recent years, gene therapy has been developed as a potential cure.
However, its cost—running into millions of dollars per patient—makes it financially and technically inaccessible in Ghana.
According to Dr Lawrence Osei-Tutu, a Sickle Cell and Childhood Cancer Expert at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, “the country must instead focus on practical, lower-cost interventions such as hydroxyurea”, a decades-old cancer drug proven to reduce painful episodes, hospitalisation and life- threatening complications in SCD patients”.
Taken orally, the medicine improves red blood cell function and is considered safe and effective.
“Hydroxyurea therapy is as good as the cure and a low-hanging fruit to pluck, we must bring a cure to our sickle cell warriors, but do so sustainably.” he urged.
In a chat with The Spectator here, he said to create awareness on the disease, the expert noted that despite its benefits, “hydroxyurea is not widely accessible in Ghana.”
Stressing that, “many patients either cannot afford it or struggle with irregular supply through the health system.”
Moreover, he argued that scaling up access would provide immediate relief while the country builds the infrastructure, trains specialists and secures funding needed to support curative therapies in the future.
With an estimated 15,000 babies born with sickle cell disease annually in Ghana, Dr Osei Tutu cautioned that “failure to improve access to effective treatment will leave many patients vulnerable to preventable complications and early death.”
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
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Let’s reintroduce Cultural Studies to complement educational reforms — Tourism Minister
Madam Abla Dzifa Gomashie, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, has emphasised the importance of reintroducing Cultural Studies in schools as part of Ghana’s broader educational reform agenda.
She said Cultural Studies would complement existing efforts to reposition Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to promote digital literacy and expand Creative Arts education.
Speaking at the 2025 Homowo Festival of the people of Ningo-Prampram, held on the theme: “Education: The Best Legacy for our Children,” Madam Gomashie said cultural education was critical to national identity and development.
She noted that the festival’s theme aligned with the Government’s vision to transform education in Ghana and encouraged the youth to embrace it not only as a means of personal development but also as a way of preserving traditional values.
These values, including patience, wisdom, and hard work, were at the core of the Homowo celebration, the Minister said.
“Cultural festivals like Homowo are vital instruments for strengthening cultural identity, preserving historical memory, and fostering national unity. Additionally, festivals serve as platforms for educating the youth through storytelling, music, dance, and other traditional practices, while also providing opportunities for community engagement.”
Madam Gomashie highlighted the strong foundation that Ghana’s tourism was built on, which included culture, traditions, and the creative industry, collectively contributing to over GH¢4.8 billion to the economy.
“Festivals give tourists reasons to visit our country. Therefore, with the right infrastructure and the development of all the domains, the sector can do more than what has been recorded,” she added.
Mr Sam Nartey George, the Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram and Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, commended the community for their vibrant participation in the festival. He announced plans for the construction of a new nursing training school in Ningo, aimed at expanding access to healthcare education in the area.
Nene Osroagbo Djangmah XII, Paramount Chief of Great Ningo Traditional Area; King Dr Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, Ga Mantse; Nene Tetteh Wakah III, Paramount Chief of the Prampram Traditional Area; Prof. Odaifio Welentsi III, Paramount Chief of the Nungua Traditional Area; Naana Dugbakuwor Dugba II, Paramount Queen Mother of Great Ningo; and Mr. Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, Special Envoy on Religion and Inter-Faith Affairs, who represented the Chief of Staff, were among dignitaries at the festival. -GNA
