By: Franklin ASARE-DONKOH
The Paramount Chief of the Asante-Mampong Traditional Area, Daasebre Osei Bonsu II, has died at the age of 86.
By Ashanti traditional rites, the Bretuo family and the Asante-Mampong Traditional Council have officially informed the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, of his passing.
Daasebre Osei Bonsu II is reported to have died last week after a short illness.
He was enstooled as Mamponghene on August 25, 1996, succeeding his direct uncle, Nana Atakora Amaniampong II, who abdicated the stool.
Privately known as Saint Oswald Gyimah-Kessie, Daasebre was born on December 31, 1939. He was an alumnus of Prempeh College and the University of Ghana, Legon.
Before ascending the Mampong stool, Daasebre served as the Registrar of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi and practiced as a lawyer.
During his 26-year reign, he brought significant development to the Asante-Mampong Traditional Area and was recognized for maintaining peace and stability. Notably, he reigned without encountering any chieftaincy disputes — a rare achievement in the area’s history.
According to records at Mampong, he remains the only Paramount Chief installed since 1930 under whom the Traditional Area did not experience any chieftaincy disputes or litigations.
Traditional authorities and family members, dressed in black attire, officially conveyed news of his passing to the Asantehene and the Asantehemaa, in line with custom.
The Queenmother of the Mampong Traditional Area, Nana Agyakoma Difie, and the Queenmother of Ejisu, Yaa Asantewaa II, were part of the delegation.
