Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, has destooled Nana Ama Serwaa Nyarko, the Queen Mother of Offinso Traditional Area, marking the end of her over three-decade reign.
The destoolment was pronounced during a meeting of the Asanteman Council, presided over by the Asantehene, where the newly enstooled chief of Offinso, Nana Dwamena Akenten II, swore an oath of allegiance.
The destoolment was attributed to gross insubordination, primarily for her refusal to appear before Otumfuo in response to a summon. This was seen as one of several offences committed by Nana Ama Serwaa Nyarko.
Otumfuo, delivering the verdict, stated, “I deliver the town into your hands alone. You have no queen mother. Find a new queen mother to help you undertake your mandate when you have settled down. We need a queen mother who will be present here when we need her.”
The controversy leading to the destoolment arose from attempts to “sell” the Offinso stool to Dr. Desmond Kofi Koduah Sarpong, the former Board Chairman of Asante Kotoko Sporting Club. The Queen Mother's actions were found to compromise tradition, and a committee was set up to investigate the matter.
The committee discovered that KK Sarpong, presented by the Queen's mother, was not related to the Ahyirem Royal Family, as claimed. Following the findings, Otumfuo directed the royals to select a new candidate, leading to the presentation of Nana Amoako Opoku.