News
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
The Ghana Tourism Development Company, GTDC, under the leadership of Prof.Kobby Mensah has launched GTDC Campus Tourism Office at the University of Ghana.
The initiative aims to promote educational and domestic tourism by providing structured campus tour experiences showcasing key heritage sites, including the Archaeology Museum and the School of Performing Arts.
It will also offer students their first travel experience across the continent and inculcate in them love to visit Ghana’s heritage sites.
Addressing the gathering at the launch yesterday, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, described tourism as a vehicle for education and heritage preservation, stressing that the sector must inspire citizens to value and protect national culture for future generations.
The minister highlighted tourism’s connection to disciplines such as history, the arts, economics and environmental science.
The minister further noted that the private sector is the engine of tourism economy, adding that the engines require fuel, which is talents.” by investing in these young people today, you are securing the quality, the innovation and competitiveness of our own industry for tomorrow.
She added that the establishment of the office represents a deliberate investment in the intellectual capital of the country.
The GTDC boss, Prof.Kobby Mensah, said,”at GTDC, we believe that if our tourism has to be sustainable, we have to promote domestic tourism and a very big part of it is getting students to appreciate tourism and helping them to organise tours.”
He added that the University of Ghana itself is a huge heritage site which must be explored.
Prof.Kobby Mensah noted that the initiative, which is one of many to be established across the country, is a joint partnership between GTDC and University of Ghana.
The Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof.Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, said the University is a custodian of heritage which goes beyond the structures and welcomed the establishment of the first Campus Tourism Office.
She was optimistic that the office would be put to good use to achieve the intended purpose.
The launch brought together Stakeholders reaffirming their commitment to nurturing future tourism and hospitality professionals.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Ghana has officially accepted an invitation to serve as Guest Country at Burkina Faso’s 22nd National Culture Week in Bobo-Dioulasso from April 22 to May 2, 2026.
The invitation was extended by Burkina Faso’s Minister of Communication, Culture, Arts and Tourism, Gilbert Noël Ouédraogo, accompanied by the Ambassador of Burkina Faso to Ghana, H.E. David Kabré.
Receiving the delegation, Abla Dzifa Gomashie reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to deepening cultural diplomacy and strengthening historic ties between the two nations.
She noted that the festival will create opportunities for young creatives, expand exhibition platforms and promote commercial exchange within the creative sector.
The event will feature cultural performances, a community village and gastronomy fair, an arts market, literary engagements, and a craft and trade fair.
Ghana’s participation is expected to further strengthen bilateral relations between John Dramani Mahama and Ibrahim Traoré, while fostering collaboration within the creative ecosystems of both countries.
