The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has ordered chiefs in the Ashanti Kingdom who have lost vital stool regalia and ornaments in their palaces to trace them or be destooled. The Ashanti King said the disappearance of such important items from palaces constituted a serious threat to the spirit and soul of the Ashanti Kingdom. At a meeting with some of the chiefs at Manhyia, Kumasi, Otumfuo expressed particular worry about the loss of some black stools that have been reported stolen at the Offinso, Kumawu and Essumeja palaces. The Media Relations Manager of the Ashantehene, Mr Osei Antwi told Joy FM on Friday “black stools are the spirit of the Ashanti nation” and that failing to protect them would mean failing to protect the spirit of the kingdom. Mr Osei Antwi said a lot of effort must go into protecting the property of the people. He emphasised that the Asantehene is particularly concerned about the black stools because of the spate at which these regalia are being taken by some miscreants. Ashanti regalia has since the inception of the kingdom been used as a symbol of unity for the people of the land. Historians say the bestowal of such items was used by the Ashantis in non-Akan areas as an integrative device. The Statesman newspaper on Friday reported that Otumfuo Osei Tutu had said such reported cases of theft in some paramountcies cast a slur not only on the image of the affected paramountcies but the Asante kingdom in general. “He therefore, charged the chiefs to take a collective responsibility to prevent further losses in their palaces in order to preserve and protect the dignity and sanctity of the Asante kingdom,” the paper reported. “Otumfuo Osei Tutu has also charged the chiefs to ensure that caretakers of their palaces and stool rooms lived up to their responsibilities and became committed to their duties. The Asantehene again expressed concern about numerous disputes and litigation among some paramount chiefs and urged those involved to fashion out amicable ways to settle their differences. He said they should come together in love and unity in order to revive the united spirit of the Asante people,” the paper further reported. Meanwhile the Asantehene has also charged chiefs in the Ashanti kingdom to desist from collecting bribes. He said such traditional rulers have been mandated to mediate and settle disputes between litigating factions, and not to extort money from the people. Story by Fiifi Koomson Joy Newsroom and the Statesman newspaper contributed reporting