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
Minister for Government Communications, Felix Ofosu Kwakye, has dismissed claims that staff salaries at the Presidency have increased under the current administration, describing the allegation as a “flat lie”.
In a response to a post on Facebook, Ofosu Kwakye said the current staff at the Presidency inherited the same salaries and conditions approved for their predecessors.
He argued that once arrears owed to former Article 71 office holders are paid, the total wage bill for the current administration will actually be lower due to a reduction in staff numbers.
“It is in fact a mathematical certainty that the total amount paid in salaries to the current staff will be smaller compared to yours once your arrears are paid because of the reduction in numbers,” he stated.
The Minister noted that delays in paying arrears to past Article 71 office holders are not new.
“Arrears owed to past Article 71 office holders is nothing new or unheard of. Many others before you have suffered same,” he said.
Ofosu Kwakye also stressed that the salaries and conditions in question were approved by Parliament on 6th January 2025, under the previous government.
He pointed out that the Constitution bars any changes to those salaries until a new committee is set up to determine emoluments for Article 71 office holders under the new administration.
“No such committee has been set up by President Mahama and no alteration has been made,” he clarified.
“So on what basis, apart from pure lies and mischief, can a claim of ballooning be made?” he concluded.
The response follows public debate over the size and cost of the presidential staff, with critics alleging a spike in the wage bill.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi and the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, has initiated plea negotiations with the Attorney General’s office in the GH₵30 million Exim Bank fraud case.
Information available to ghanaiantimes.com.gh indicates that lawyers for Bernard Antwi Boasiako aka Chairman Wontumi & 2 other accused have formally written to the Attorney General to enter into plea negotiations on the charges of defrauding by false pretenses, money laundering, and intentionally causing financial loss to a public body.
A plea bargain, under Section 162C of the Criminal and Other Offences (Procedure) (Amendment) Act, 2022 (Act 1079), allows an accused person to plead guilty to lesser charges in exchange for a reduced sentence.
The agreement must be approved by the court after the Attorney General assesses factors such as the strength of evidence, recovery of state funds, and public interest.
Wontumi is facing four counts after his arrest by the Economic and Organised Crime Office in May 2025.
Prosecutors allege he used forged documents to secure a GH₵30 million facility from the Ghana Export-Import Bank to finance equipment for his mining company, Akonta Mining Ltd.
The state further charges him with money laundering and causing financial loss to the state.
He has pleaded not guilty to all charges and was granted GH₵50 million bail with two sureties. The case is currently before the Accra High Court.
The Attorney General’s office is yet to confirm whether negotiations will proceed.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
