In Ghana today, if you want to know what power is, don’t look at politics. Look at Manhyia.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has just done what no politician in Ghana can do. He has destooled a chief who had been on the stool for 89 years.
89 years.
Let that number sink in.
THE MAN WHO SAW IT ALL
His name is Nana Kwabena Nsia Ababio, Kenyasi No.2 Manhene.
He was enstooled in 1937.
In 1937, Kwame Nkrumah had not even returned to Ghana. Ghana was not called Ghana. It was Gold Coast. The Second World War had not started. There was no television, no internet, no Republic of Ghana.
And more importantly, in 1937, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the man who destooled him, was not even born. Otumfuo was born 13 years later in 1950.
For 89 years, he sat on his stool. He served under Otumfuo Sir Osei Agyemang Prempeh II. He served under Otumfuo Opoku Ware II. He served under Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
He was the longest-reigning Paramount Chief in the whole of Asanteman. Some say in the whole of Ghana. He was a living history book. When he spoke, he spoke with 89 years of wisdom.
And this week, Otumfuo destooled him.
WHAT IS THE LESSON? CUSTOM IS BIGGER THAN ANY MAN
This is the lesson for every Ghanaian, especially for us Asantes:
In Asanteman, no one is bigger than custom.
It doesn’t matter if you have been a chief for 8 years or 89 years. It doesn’t matter if you are old. It doesn’t matter if you are rich. It doesn’t matter how many politicians you know.
If you go against Asante custom, Manhyia will remove you.
For 89 years, this chief survived everything – colonial rule, military coups, chieftaincy disputes. But he could not survive going against custom.
That is how powerful Asante custom is. The Golden Stool is bigger than any man who sits on a smaller stool.
So Ghanaians are asking a simple question:
If Otumfuo can destool a man who has been a chief for 89 years, even before Otumfuo himself was born, for going against custom, what will he do to ordinary people who are disgracing Asante custom every day over Daddy Lumba’s body?
If 89 years on the stool cannot protect you from customary justice, then small fame on TikTok cannot protect you either.
Otumfuo has taught Ghana a powerful lesson this week without saying a word.
The stool is not yours. You are for the stool. The day you think you are bigger than the custom that made you a chief, that day you will lose the stool.
Whether you have been there for 89 days or 89 years.
Custom is bigger than any man. And that is why Asanteman will live forever.
Alexander Afriyie, supervising editor, ghanacrimereport.com and ghanatalk.com