The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has directed the Bantamahene, Baffour Asare Owusu Amankwatia VI, to retrieve a stolen deity within one week.
The deity, known as Asare Bediako, is a sacred shrine of the people of Adanwomase in the Kwabre East Municipality.
The deity as gathered was stolen from its sacred place in the town by one of the rival factions vying for its possession and control.
When the issue was first brought before the court of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu charged the Bantamahene to work with the affected chiefs and people in the area to look for the deity, retrieve it, and hand it over to the Sumankwaahene.
However, at the Kumasi Traditional Council meeting at the Manhyia palace on March 13, 2025, the Bantamahene disclosed that efforts to reclaim the stolen deity had proven futile.
“We conducted a thorough search throughout the community, but the deity was nowhere to be found,” he said.
“We even sought assistance from the authorities, but to no avail.”
Otumfuo Osei Tutu was not pleased with the Bantamahene’s report and found him in contempt for neglecting his duties.
The Asantehene subsequently penalized the Bantamahene to slaughter eight rams.
“Before he presents his report on Monday, he must retrieve Asare Bediako from its current location and hand it over to the Sumankwaahene,” Otumfuo Osei Tutu decreed.
The Asantehene’s directive is seen as a clear indication of his commitment to upholding the traditions and customs of the Asante kingdom.
The Kumasi Traditional Council is currently reviewing a report of the committee set up to investigate the competing claims of ownership of the Asare Bediako deity and the Adanwomase stool.
The committee’s findings established that the legitimate custodians of the deity and the community were the descendants of Madam Akua Kyem.
In a related development, the Asantehene has upheld the committee’s findings, which confirmed Madam Akua Kyem’s family as the rightful owners of the deity.
However, the Bantamahene has persisted in asserting that the deity rightfully belonged to Opanyin Kwadwo Yadieya’s family.
The Asantehene’s patience was evident as he commissioned a second committee to reassess the case.
The outcome of the second committee’s report is yet to be made public.
