Nana Afua Kobi Serwaa Ampem the second, Asantehemaa, has temporarily assumed responsibility as the Asantehene following the interment of the late Asantehene, Otumfuo Opoku Ware the second, in the early hours of today at the Royal Mausoleum at Breman, near Kumasi. She becomes the regent until a new king is nominated, elected, installed and enstooled as Asantehene. By custom, the Asantehemaa assumes responsibility for the royal household, provides daily market money to feed the king’s personal attendants and his widows. Prospective royal contenders for the golden stool can now formalise their candidatures through making official approaches to some chiefs who are expected to intercede on their behalf to the Asantehemaa who has the prerogative to nominate a successor. The Bantamahene, Baffour Awuah the fifth, is the head of the kingmakers to the stool and acting president of the Kumasi Traditional Council. Other members of the kingmakers include the “fekutire” (heads of the clans). Five royals have been named as contenders. They are Nana Kwaku Duah, a businessman and son of the Asantehemaa, Nana Akwasi Agyemang, Kumasi Metropolitan Chief Executive, Barima Osei Tutu, a businessman, Nana Osei Tutu Owusu, a businessman and Dr James Acheampong Yeboah, a medical officer of Port Clinic, Takoradi.
