Asantehene Otumfuo has destooled Nana Kusi Baaye II, the chief of Ohwim, for committing several offences, including illegal mining.
The chief, who had been on the stool for 16 years, was also found guilty of additional offences such as desecration of the Great Oath, extortion, and illegal sale of lands.
His destoolment occurred during a Kumasi Traditional Council meeting on Monday, February 24, 2025, at the Manhyia Palace. It marked the fourth time since last year that Otumfuo had destooled a chief within his kingdom for engaging illegal mining.
Desecration of the Great Oath
Nana Kusi Baaye was unable to provide a reasonable explanation for the charges of desecrating the Great Oath of the Asantehene, following complaints lodged by individuals, including the Dwumakye Baapanin, his sister, the family head, and a former Biemso chief.
False Witnessing
Furthermore, he was found guilty of soliciting a bribe of GHc 6,000 to testify in favour of a party in a chieftaincy dispute.
Sale of Lands
Additionally, the chief was found to have sold over 200 plots of land belonging to the town, pocketing the proceeds for himself.
Galamsey
Regarding illegal mining (locally known as galamsey), a former chief of Biemso accused the Ohwim chief of seizing land in the name of the Otumfuo and conducting illegal mining activities in Biemso. “He told us that Otumfuo had taken the land for a solar project. We later realized that he was actually engaging in galamsey activities on it, and now the entire area has been devastated,” he stated.
