Otumfuo orders destoolment of Senior Court Linguist Kofi Nti

A fall from honour at Manhyia
The courtyard of Manhyia Palace was unusually tense that Monday morning. Chiefs, elders, and courtiers gathered under the authority of the Asantehene, their faces set with the weight of tradition and judgment. At the centre of the unfolding drama stood Kyeame Kofi Nti, once a powerful voice of the throne, now facing accusations that threatened to unravel his legacy.

The weight of allegations
For years, Kofi Nti had served as a trusted linguist—an intermediary between the king and his people, a custodian of words that carried royal authority. But whispers had grown into formal complaints. Members of the traditional hierarchy accused him of misconduct, abuse of power, and even acts of violence and extortion.
More troubling still were claims that he had denigrated the Great Oath—an act considered deeply offensive within Asante tradition. Such an accusation alone could shake the foundation of any royal office. Yet, it was not the only charge weighing against him.

A question of bloodline
Among the many allegations, one stood out as the most serious: a challenge to his royal lineage. In the Asante court, legitimacy is not merely ceremonial—it is essential. To serve in such a high office, one must be firmly rooted in the royal bloodline. The Council demanded answers. Kofi Nti was given a chance to defend his ancestry, to prove that he was worthy of the position he had held for years. The atmosphere grew heavier as all eyes turned to him, awaiting a response that never came convincingly.

The oath that sealed his fate
Compounding his troubles was an earlier incident in March 2026, when an oath had been invoked against him. According to custom, such an oath demands an immediate response. But Kofi Nti had failed to counter it, explaining that he needed first to inform the Asantehene.
The Council rejected this justification. In their view, tradition required swift action, not hesitation. His inability to respond appropriately was seen as both a procedural failure and a sign of disrespect to the customs he was sworn to uphold.

The King’s final word
As the proceedings reached their climax, the Asantehene spoke with measured authority. He revealed that he had been willing to forgive some of the offences, influenced by appeals from respected figures. But there was a line that could not be crossed.

Kofi Nti’s failure to defend his royal lineage proved decisive.
Silence fell as the verdict was delivered: destoolment.

The ritual of removal
In accordance with tradition, the symbols of his office were stripped away. His sandals—emblems of his authority—were removed before the assembled council. It was a powerful, visual declaration that his role and privileges had come to an end. Orders were given for the necessary rites to formalize his removal. What had once been a position of honour was now reduced to memory.

A rare and sobering decision
The destoolment of a senior linguist is not common. It serves as a stark reminder that no office, no matter how revered, is beyond accountability. In the Ashanti Kingdom, tradition is both a guide and a judge—unyielding in its demand for integrity.

As the gathering dispersed, the message was clear: authority must walk hand in hand with discipline, and even the most trusted voices of the throne are not immune to the consequences of failing that sacred duty.