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