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The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II on Wednesday chastised the Bantamahene, Baffour Owusu Amankwatia VI.
Graphic Online understands the issue was over land.

There was tension at the Manhyia Palace on Wednesday, July 22, when the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II sat in state over the issue.

It had been confirmed to the Asantehene that Baffour Owusu Amankwatia VI had trespassed on the Kumasi Race Course land for the construction of shops without permission from the Asantehene.

It had been reported to the Asantehene that the course of the river in the area had also been diverted to make way for the construction.

Baffour Owusu Amankwatia VI was therefore summoned to the Manhyia Palace and when the Asantehene sat on the issue, he spoke angrily [watch video attached below] and threatened to destool the Bantamahene.

Baffour Owusu Amankwatia VI and his elders had to kneel down to beg the Asantehene for forgiveness to prevent a possible destoolment.

A vote by the divisional chiefs present Nifa, Kyidom, Adonten, Akwamu and others at the time of the discussions concluded the Bantamahene had acted in bad faith.

They, however, pleaded for mercy on his behalf. The Akyeame (Linguists) impressed on the Asantehene not to dismiss the Bantamahene for his rebelliousness.

Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II in all kindness and mercy instead of destoolment showed mercy but directed the demolition of the said structures on the Race Course land for the river course to be restored.

Baffour Owusu Amankwatia VI, known in private life as Mr Sylvester Asare Owusu in 2016 succeeded his elder brother Baffour Owusu Amankwatia V who died in 2016.

The Bantama stool is very prominent in Kumasi and in the Manhyia Palace and for that, the occupant of the stool pays an unalloyed loyalty, dedication and honesty to the Asantehene.

The Bantamahene, is also the head of the Krontire clan (Head of town) of the Kumasi Traditional Council and also serves as the war marshal of the Asantehene.

The occupant of the Bantama stool is normally disarmed when he gets closer to the Asantehene to greet him, considering that he is a warrior and always carries arms.

Traditionally, anytime the Asantehene sits in state and he gets closer to him, the Asantehene's bodyguards intervene to stop him, disarm him and inspect to see if he has not hidden any arms on him before he is allowed to get closer to the Asantehene.

Therefore, if the Asantehene perceives the occupant of the stool as someone who is not loyal to him, he immediately destools him.

What happened in the Manhyia Palace on Wednesday was described as a near destoolment by Graphic Online's sources.

The Asantehene had earlier appointed Mr Asare Owusu to serve as a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the football club, Kumasi Asante Kotoko on two occasions.

In 2002 when the Bantama stool became vacant after the late Baffour Awuah V died, Mr Asare Owusu’s name came up as one of the probable candidates but his elder brother, Nana Amankwatia V was chosen ahead of him.

He was later handed the Kumasi Asante Kotoko Football club job as chairman of the Interim Management Committee (IMC) after the exit of Mr Herbert Mensah in 2002 and held the position on two occasions.

He steered the affairs of Kotoko and handed it over to Major (retd) Yaw Larson but was re-appointed as chairman after Larson was sacked and later exited in 2010 for Mr K.K. Sarpong to take over.

He owns a number of businesses including the famous Silvercrest supermarket located on the Bantama High street in Kumasi.