Techimanhene: Tuobodom Not For Asanteman

Oseadeeyo Akumfi Ameyaw IV, Omanhene of the Techiman traditional area, has accused the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, of usurping his traditional powers by installing a new paramount chief at Tuobodom. The Otumfuo’s action, he said, is unacceptable and will not be tolerated since Tuobodom is within the Techiman traditional area. "I want to state emphatically that the Techiman traditional area is not part of Asanteman," he stated. Oseadeeyo Ameyaw said this at a press conference at his palace at Techiman on Friday. He explained that Bono Techiman was the first centralised Akan state to emerge in the 13th century, 400 years before the creation of the Ashanti State by Nana Osei Tutu in the 17th century. "It was through a conquest that Techiman state became a vassal state of Ashanti in the 18th century during which period it served Asanteman, its villages and gods." Oseadeeyo Ameyaw contended that Techiman has since withdrawn from the Asante Confederacy and the Techimanhene is no longer subservient to the Golden stool. "Why should the Asantehene in the 21st century demand that certain villages and towns in the Techiman area which is their original tribal and customary centre and with which they have geographical, economic as well as social interests, be part of Asante?" he asked. He added: "why should the Asantehene forment trouble in these areas which are enjoying relative peace?" The Techimanhene said the Otumfuo should be content with the areas that owe allegiance to the Golden Stool and avoid sowing seeds of discord in areas which are not part of his kingdom. He said the Otumfuo should desist from indulging in slavery by insisting that people conquered in war should continue to owe allegiance to him and render him customary services. It would be recalled that in February, 1996, fighting broke out in some parts of the Techiman traditional area, especially at Tuobodom, when the late Otumfuo Opoku Ware II elevated some stools in the area to paramountcies. Many people died, others fled and properties were destroyed. Tension has reportedly been mounting in the area since the installation of an Omanhene in Tuobodom by the Asantehene in December, last year.