The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has opposed a proposal to include queen mothers in the sittings of regional and national houses of chiefs, arguing that such a move would run counter to Asanteman’s customs and traditions.
Speaking at the end-of-year meeting of the Ashanti Regional House of Chiefs last Friday at Manhyia in Kumasi, the monarch acknowledged the critical role queen mothers play in the selection of chiefs and in offering counsel. But he insisted their role must remain private.
“Per our customs and traditions, queen mothers play their role privately and not publicly,” he said. “Asanteman’s customs and traditions are that queen mothers have the authority to select chiefs and counsel them privately while the chiefs deliberate and speak publicly on everyone’s behalf.”
The Asantehene’s remarks came in response to proposals to amend the Chieftaincy Act of 2008 (Act 759) to allow queen mothers to participate in the activities of the houses of chiefs.
He emphasized that customs differ across Ghana and warned against imposing uniform laws. “Let us not create laws that affect everyone irrespective of the differences in customs and traditions,” he said. “Let no one create laws to change our traditions and customs that already exist. There are others who subscribe to patrilineal, while Asantes are matrilineal. Both must be respected and allowed to operate.”
The Asantehene underscored his respect for queen mothers, noting their pivotal role in the traditional system.
“We respect queen mothers for the pivotal role they play in selecting us. All of us sitting here were selected by queen mothers and our custom is that they advise us behind the scenes and not in the full glare of the public,” he said.
He concluded with a firm warning against altering Asanteman’s practices. “I will not allow anyone to alter our existing customs and traditions,” he declared.
The meeting also saw Justice Hannah Taylor of the High Court swear in the Kwamanghene, Nana Debrah Boateng Bediako, as a full member of the house.
