The Techiman Traditional Council has dismissed allegations that angry residents of Techiman in the Bono East Region attacked the convoy of Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
The Asantehene was reportedly returning from Nkoranza after attending the funeral of Nana Dudaa Kani, the Paramount Queen Mother of Nkoranza, when the alleged attack took place in Techiman, the regional capital.
Responding to a viral video circulating on social media that showed the purported attack, Nana Takyi Firi II, the Krontihene (sub-chief) and Acting President of the Techiman Traditional Council, addressed the issue at a press conference in Techiman. He clarified that, “The people of Techiman and Asante are united,” rejecting the notion of an attack on the Asantehene’s convoy.
Nana Firi II emphasized the longstanding relationship between the Techiman Traditional Council and the Asantehene, stating, “Nana Techimanhene and Otumfuo are both from the Oyoko clan and consider each other as brothers. They frequently visit and communicate with one another.” He expressed disappointment over the false claims, stressing, “There is no way or justification for the people of Techiman to attack the Asantehene.”
He further explained that when the late Okatakyie Agyemang Kudom IV, Nkoranzamanhene, passed away, Otumfuo personally informed Techimanhene Oseadeeyo Akumfi Ameyaw IV and even paid a courtesy visit to the Techiman Traditional Council ahead of his trip to Nkoranza for the funeral.
Regarding the recent incident, Nana Firi II clarified that when Otumfuo traveled to Nkoranza for the funeral on December 2, 2024, he had informed Techimanhene about his visit and expressed his intention to pay a courtesy call in Techiman before heading to Nkoranza.
He also explained that customary rites had been observed to honor Otumfuo’s arrival, including the slaughter of a sheep and the pouring of libation at the River Tano on the Techiman-Kumasi highway. Similar rites were carried out at Fiaso on the Techiman-Nkoranza road to allow Otumfuo to cross the River Fia.
Nana Firi II stressed that Techiman, being a cosmopolitan town, does not discriminate based on ethnicity, religion, or any other factor, and called for responsible use of social media. He reaffirmed that there was no animosity between the people of Techiman and the Asante Kingdom, stating, “We are one people with a shared destiny.”
