The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has strongly rejected proposals to create a separate Chamber of Queenmothers and to allow queenmothers to participate in sittings of the Ashanti Regional House of Chiefs.
Speaking at the final meeting of the Ashanti Regional House of Chiefs for 2025 on Friday, December 19, Otumfuo emphasised that Asante customs and traditions cannot be changed through legislation.
While acknowledging the indispensable role of queenmothers in Asante governance, particularly in the enstoolment of chiefs and providing counsel on critical matters, the Asantehene stressed that tradition dictates that queenmothers exercise their influence privately.
“Our tradition is that they offer advice behind closed doors, while the chief speaks publicly on behalf of the stool,” he explained.
The monarch’s remarks were in response to proposals from the National House of Chiefs to amend the Chieftaincy Act, 2008 (Act 759) to establish a Chamber of Queenmothers and include them in House of Chiefs sittings.
Otumfuo warned against imposing uniform rules on chieftaincy institutions across Ghana, highlighting the distinct nature of Asante culture, which follows a matrilineal system.
“We have to let Ghanaians know that traditions and customs differ across various areas. No one should create rules that bind everyone. The Asante culture is different from other cultures,” he stated.
“The law governing queenmothers exists, and it has not changed. We respect them for selecting chiefs. All of us in this room were selected by women who are queenmothers,” he added.
In a firm tone, the Asantehene declared his opposition to any attempt to alter Asante traditions.
“I will not allow anyone in Ghana to change my culture — I am the Asantehene. No one should bring such a proposal to the table; it will not work,” he said.
He further asserted that the National House of Chiefs has no authority over him and threatened to withdraw Asante chiefs from its meetings if such proposals are pursued.
“The National House of Chiefs has no authority over me. If it attempts to assert such authority, I will instruct the chiefs under my jurisdiction to stop attending its sittings — and if the government wishes, it can arrest all of us,” Otumfuo warned.
The Asantehene also pointed out that the concept of a House of Chiefs itself is not rooted in Asante tradition but was introduced externally, underscoring the need to preserve the unique aspects of the kingdom’s matrilineal system.