Ashanti Youth, an association of young people in the Ashanti Region, has appealed to the Manhyia Palace to bar the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako alias Chairman Wontumi from setting foot at the Mnhyian Palace for disrespecting the authority of the Asantehene.
The association also appealed to paramount chiefs and other sub-chiefs that owe allegiance to the Golden Stool not to grant Chairman Wontumi access to their palaces.
At a news conference in Kumasi on Wednesday, January 17, 2024, the association said Chairman Wontumi’s claim that he has his own Kingdom in Asanteman is distasteful, as it demonstrates disrespect to the Golden Stool.
The association suggested that the ban could be lifted only when he renders an unqualified apology to Otumfuo and Asanteman.
Vetting
Addressing the media, the spokesperson of the group, Amaning Kwarteng said, during the vetting of NPP parliamentary aspirants in the Manhyia South Constituency in Kumasi on January 3, 2024, the constituency organizer, Alhaji Abuba had a confrontation with Chairman Wontumi .
He said in the midst of the verbal exchanges, Chairman Wontumi boasted that he has built his own kingdom in the Ashanti Region with a military and police force .
Wontumi adamant
Mr Kwarteng said although the chief of Kokoso who is also the chairman of the NPP Council of Elders in Manhyia South, Nana Kwaku Duah, who was present, told Chairman Wontumi that apart from the Asantehene, no one owns a kingdom in Asanteman, the regional NPP chairman grew even more furious, insisting that he would speak his mind even if Otumfuo disagrees.
“ The Ashanti Youth wants to make it clear that, per Asante tradition and customs, no individual in the Ashanti Kingdom can speak his mind to the King, since that will lead to disregard and disrespect to the Golden Stool,” Mr Kwarteng stated .
On that score, Mr Kwarteng appealed to nanamom to bar Chairman Wontumi from stepping foot at the Manhyia Palace until he renders an unqualified apology to the King and Asanteman.
Disappointment in Nana B
Mr Kwarteng further expressed the association’s disappointment in the National Organizer of the party, Henry Nana Boakye a.k.a. Nana B for his attempt to shield Chairman Wontumi from his disrespectful act.
