The Asantefuohene of Asanteman Association in New York, Nana Tieku Acheampong, has been summoned before the Supreme Court of the State of New York, peacefmonline reports.
It is believed that, Asantefuohene has refused to relinquish power after serving two consecutive terms of four years each as the Asantefuohene of New York City.
The docket with case number 101566/18 has been scheduled to be heard before His Lordship Judge Franc Perry on November 29, 2018.
The refusal of Nana Tieku Acheampong to step down after his tenure and give room to others to contest for the stool, as has been the practice, incurred the wrath of five elders of the Association, to seek redress at the New York Supreme Court.
The plaintiffs are Nana Osei Tutu, Susanna Osei, Kofi Nyantakyi, Helen Peprah Mensah, and Fredua Agyeman; all members of the Association.
Reliable information received reveals the constitution of the Asanteman Association stipulates that “no one can seek re-election or an extension of his term after serving two consecutive terms”.
The plaintiffs averred in their suit that Nana Tieku Acheampong obviously wants to be an exception without amending the constitution.
The Constitution of Asanteman Association of New York article VII Section (1) (K) clearly states that the outgoing Asantefuohene shall NOT be eligible to seek for the same office again after the second term.
“This is a blatant disrespect of the carefully laid-out terms of the constitution that he swore to uphold eight years ago when he first ascended to the stool,” the plaintiffs opined.
It would be recalled that during the recent annual Ashanti Day festivities in Denver, Colorado on September 2, 2018, the plaintiffs appealed to his Majesty, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, through his Special Envoy to the United States, Nana Adusei Atwenewaa Ampem, the Paramount Chief of Tepa Traditional Area, to intervene in this matter.
Some of the royals advised Nana Tieku Acheampong to abort the decision to extend his mandate in order to ensure harmony within the association.
At that meeting, Nana Adusei Atwenewa Ampim 1, is reported to have openly stated that “a leader who does not leave office when his tenure ends risks being forced out and being disgraced.”
Nana Tieku Acheampong’s arrogant posture is even said to have infuriated Hon Simon Osei Mensah, the visiting Ashanti Regional Minister, who allegedly stormed out of the meeting saying: “It is not prudent for you to hold the Asanteman Association to your whims and caprices, your style of leadership is bringing shame and confusion which does not augur well for the Association”.
Abuse of Power???
Nana Tieku Acheampong’s tenure as Asantefuohene is reportedly been fraught with gross abuse of power and arrogance.
He is accused of unilaterally taking decisions to dethrone two Queenmothers (Ahemaa) and two Krontihenes.
The plaintiffs further aver that his stubbornness to cede power has deprived the association the chance to conduct elections and select new leaders to steer the affairs of the Association.
The plaintiffs are therefore requesting the Supreme Court to place an injunction on his access to the accounts of the association, including but not limited to, funds of the association and the Association’s investments thereof, regardless of the location.
Extension of Mandate
Nana Tieku Acheampong is said to have requested that his tenure be extended for three more years, but the constitution of the association does not provide for any such extensions.
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Peacefmonline
