The Mamponghene of the Ashanti Kingdom and revered occupant of the Silver Stool, Daasebre Osei Bonsu II, has passed away at the age of 86, marking the end of a remarkable era in traditional leadership.
His passing was officially communicated to the Asantehene by the Mampong Traditional Council and the Bretuo Dynasty, per Asante custom.
The solemn announcement was made during a dignified ceremony held at the Manhyia Palace, led by the Mamponghemaa, Nana Agyakoma Difie II.
The event signified not only the end of a storied reign but also a profound moment in the cultural and historical narrative of the Ashanti Region.
Daasebre Osei Bonsu II, who served as Vice President of the Ashanti Regional House of Chiefs until his death, was the second most influential traditional leader in the Ashanti Kingdom.
He frequently represented the Asantehene in key customary and ceremonial matters, earning widespread admiration for his wisdom, diplomacy, and dedication.
Born on 31 December 1939 and known in private life as Saint Oswald Gyimah-Kessie, Daasebre Osei Bonsu II reigned for 26 years. Before ascending the Silver Stool, he had a distinguished professional career as a lawyer, economist, and university administrator.
He received his High School education at Prempeh College before attending the University of Ghana, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics, Political Science, and Modern History.
After graduating, he began his career at the Ghana Commercial Bank’s Legon branch as an assistant accountant. He later pursued legal studies and was called to the Ghana Bar in 1980 as a barrister of the Supreme Court of Ghana.
Daasebre began his public service career at the Parliament of Ghana in 1971, where he worked as an assistant clerk. In 1975, he completed a higher education administrative course at the University of Manchester.
Upon his return, he held various academic administrative positions at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) between 1976 and 1990, rising through the ranks from Assistant Registrar (Academic and Student Affairs) to Acting Registrar. In 1991, he was appointed as the substantive Registrar of KNUST.
In 2005, his leadership extended to the national level when he was appointed Chairman of the Energy Commission of Ghana, a role in which he further demonstrated his commitment to national development.
Daasebre Osei Bonsu II was celebrated not only for his administrative acumen and legal expertise but also for his statesmanship and unwavering dedication to Asante tradition and Ghanaian public life.
His death has been communicated with the reverence and ritual befitting his stature, in line with the customs of the Ashanti Kingdom. Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced in the coming days as the kingdom prepares to honour one of its most esteemed leaders.
Written by Richard Boateng
