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| Otumfuo Osei Tutu II (Asantehene) & the Golden Stool |
Introduction
Before the introduction of the British colonial administration,
the country (Ghana) comprised of many states and kingdoms. Some of these states
were completely independent of one another, others were city-states. For
example, Denkyira, Asante, Akwamu, Akyem and Gonja were among the largest and
powerful kingdoms with a number of vassal states. Ghanaians under this period
lived under three distinct traditional political systems or organisations.
These were:
1.
Centralized/Cephalous
States. Examples including the Asante, Mole-Dagbani, Denkyira, Akwamu, Fante
and Akyem.
2.
Non-Centralized
States/Acephalous societies. Examples of such states were the Talensi, Vagala,
Sissala, Kokomba, Koma, Chamba and Tampulensi.
3.
Theocratic
States/Theocracies. Examples of such states were the Guans and Ga-Adangbe.
a) Centralized States
Political Organization of Asante
1. The Asantehene
In Asante, a number of states were grouped together to form Asanteman and it was headed by the Asantehene. The Asantehene was also the
Omanhene of the Kumasi state. The Asantehene was regarded as the first among
equals. The Asantehene was not autocratic. Although they appeared to be
all-powerful, there were, in fact, several checks which warned him against
capricious use and abuse of power. Asante was divided into metropolitan and
provincial areas. Metropolitan Asante was made up of the ‘Amanfo’ or true
Asante states. These included Kumasi, Nsuta, Juaben, Bekwai, Kokofu and
Mampong.
2. The Asanteman Council
The Asantehene was assisted by the Asanteman council which
served as an advisory body to the king. The council was made up of all the
Amanhene as well as a few principal chiefs of the Kumasi division. The
Asantehene could not ignore the decisions of the Asanteman council.
3. The Amanhene (paramount chiefs)
This consisted of the various Amanhene from the states of
Mampong, Kumasi, Kokofu, Ejisu, Juaben and Bekwai. These paramount chiefs
served as the principal rulers in their respective states, and they had
executive, legislative and judicial powers.
4. Ohene/Divisional chiefs
Under the political organization of the Asante are the Ohene
or divisional chiefs under the Amanhene. They served as an advisory council to
the Amanhene. Examples of divisional chiefs include the Krontihene, Benkumhene,
Adontenhene and Kyidomhene. The divisions were made up of a number of villages
put together. The divisional chiefs also exercise executive, legislative and
judicial powers. They were also assisted by the council of elders to make laws
for the community.
5. The Queen (Ohemaa)
The Queen also occupied an important position under the
Asante political system. All the women in the community came under her. She was
a member of the royal family and had the prerogative of being consulted in the
elaborate processes of installing a new chief/king such as nomination and
selection. She also settled disputes in the community that involved women.
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| Nana Konadu Yiadom III, Asantehemaa |
6. The Linguist (Okyeame)
There was also the office of the linguist whose symbol of
office was the staff. He was the spokesman of the chief and the people and his
office was not hereditary.
7. Odikro (Village Chief)
In Asante each village had a chief called the Odikro (owner
of the village). It was the Odikro who presided over the village council. He
was also responsible for the maintenance of law and order, defense as well as
ensuring effective communication between his people, the ancestor and the gods.
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