The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has destooled the Apatrapahemaa, Oheneba Akyaa Panin III, due to findings indicating that she is not of royal descent and thus lacks the legitimate lineage required to occupy the stool.
Following a reign of 24 years, her traditional footwear was ceremonially removed at the Manhyia Palace, a customary act that formally indicated her removal from the position of queenmother.
This decision comes after revelations that Oheneba Akyaa Panin III does not possess royal blood, which invalidates her claim to the Apatrapahemaa stool.
Her claimed lineage to the Bosom Prah Kumaa Stool of Apatrapa was deemed baseless and was subsequently dismissed.
The family of Nana Kwafo, the first chief to hold the Apatrapa stool, asserted that Oheneba Akyaa Panin III is not connected to the royal lineage by blood.
According to the family, the destooled queen mother’s family was integrated into the household solely in the capacity of a caretaker, rather than as a member of the royal family.
They further clarified that when the Apatrapa stool became vacant, and the legitimate royal family did not have a qualified male successor, the caretaker family took control of the stool.
In his ruling, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II supported the position of Nana Kwafo’s family, stating that, based on historical precedents, the Apatrapa stool has no genealogical or customary ties to the Bosom Prah Kumaa Stool.
Consequently, the Asantehene has instructed Maame Pomaa to take on temporary custodianship of the stool while efforts are made to identify a suitable and legitimate candidate to ascend it.
