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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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Nana Yaa Serwaa Sarpong Inspires and Awarded at the 2025 National Youth Mentorship Summit and Awards
The 2025 National Youth Mentorship Summit and Awards, held at the University of Ghana Business School, was more than a gathering—it was a transformative experience that brought together the nation’s leading minds in entrepreneurship, finance, leadership, and youth development.
But among the constellation of inspiring voices, it was Nana Yaa Serwaa Sarpong, celebrated Media Expert and General Manager of EIB Network, who delivered a keynote speech that left the most lasting impression.
Nana Yaa’s story is one of resilience, vision, and reinvention in Media and building brands. From her early days as a teenage TV presenter, she has risen to become one of Ghana’s most influential women in media.
With over 26 years of experience in Media alone, she now oversees some of Ghana’s top media outlets under the EIB Network umbrella. Her journey, marked by passion and purpose, framed the tone for a summit rooted in transformation and global relevance.
In her keynote address, Nana Yaa urged participants not only to develop big visions but to measure themselves by continental and global standards, “We are our only competition,” she declared, “but when setting your standards, set them to both continental and global benchmarks.”
Drawing from Psalm 90:12 and Proverbs 4:23, she emphasized to the youth gathered, the importance of intentional living, guarding one’s heart, and valuing time as the currency of purpose. “What you set your heart to determines what you achieve,” she said, urging the young participants to develop discipline, consistency, and courage in pursuit of their goals.
A standout quote from her speech “What separates a poor man from a wealthy one is courage,”sparked thunderous applause.
Nana Yaa reminded the youth that true sustainability in leadership is not about titles but about long-term thinking, resilience, and a commitment to personal development, irrespective of the reality around you.
She also shared her vision for Women in Sustainability Africa (WiSA), an initiative she founded to champion inclusive development and gender-balanced innovation.
“If it resonates with you,” she told the audience, “join and help shape a future of sustainable leadership, nation and continent.”
In a dedicated segment, Nana Yaa laid out a powerful roadmap for the youth of Ghana to leverage the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to create meaningful opportunities.
She explained how SDGs are not abstract policies but practical frameworks for young people to build sustainable livelihoods. From climate-smart agriculture, entrepreneurship and digital innovation to social impact ventures, she emphasized that the SDGs hold vast potential for youth-led transformation.
She said, “You have access to tools the generation before you never had.Use the SDGs to solve local problems with global thinking. Create value, and prosperity will follow.”
The summit, themed “YouthPreneur: A Catalyst for a New Economy”, was hosted by Albert Prempeh Kusi, CEO of LEC Group and a leading voice in youth empowerment. It welcomed an exceptional lineup of mentors and speakers who shared real-world insights and inspiration.
Among the notable guest speakers were:Nana Oye Bampoe Addo, Deputy Chief of Staff (Administration) at the Office of the President, who represented the Presidency and offered policy-level perspectives on youth development.
Georgina Asare Fiagbenu, Senior Manager of Corporate Communications at MTN Ghana, who spoke on behalf of Stephen Blewett, CEO of MTN Ghana, emphasizing the role of digital transformation in youth employment.
Richie Mensah, music producer and CEO of Lynx Entertainment, who inspired with his journey of building Ghana’s Afrobeats stars from the ground up.
Sina Kamagate, Executive Head of Retail Banking at GCB Bank PLC, who provided financial literacy tools tailored for the youth.
Janet Sunkwa-Mills, CEO of Afribiz Group and Jane’M Salon & Spa, who brought insights from over two decades of FMCG marketing across the continent.
Albert Prempeh Kusi, whose mission of reframing the youth from job seekers to job creators resonated throughout the summit.
As the summit drew to a close, Nana Yaa’s parting words became a mantra for the next generation:“Be disciplined. Be consistent. Be courageous. And never forget, sustainability starts with you.”
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Police arrest three suspects for robbery attack at Jukwa
The Western Central Regional Police Command has arrested three suspects for a robbery attack at Jukwa near Afransie in the Western Region.
The suspects were arrested on July 15, 2025 after a Toyota Hilux pickup with registration number GT 7426-23, transporting gold concentrate from a mining site to Wassa Akropong, was attacked near Jukwa town.
The occupants of the vehicle at the time of the robbery included the driver, Kofi Gyamfi, a security guard, Bashiru and one other person.
The robbers attacked the vehicle and made away with the gold concentrate.
Following a swift Police intervention, suspect Foster Peprah, a small-scale miner, was arrested at the scene.
Preliminary investigations revealed that he carried out the robbery with one Isaac, who is currently on the run. During interrogation, Foster mentioned Kofi Gyamfi, the driver, as the individual who invited them to carry out the robbery.
Kofi Gyamfi was later arrested, and he named Bashiru, the security guard, as the originator of the plan. Bashiru was subsequently arrested at his hideout in Wassa Gyedua.
All three suspects are currently in Police custody assisting investigations, while efforts are underway to arrest suspect Isaac who is currently on the run.
