Ashanti Regional Chairman of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, on Monday, arrived at the Manhyia Palace to face members of the Kumasi Traditional Council over his alleged disrespectful comments.

The KTC has been on a collision course with some high-profile politicians for either showing gross disrespect to the Asantehene or some of its members in the last 8 years.

A similar invitation led to the resignation of the then Chief Executive of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly, Kojo Bonsu, in 2016.

Mr. Bonsu had then been summoned before the Council for disrespecting the Asantehene and the Kumasi Traditional Council representative, Amoamanhene Nana Agyenim Boateng.

• Read also: Kojo Bonsu to appear before Kumasi Traditional Council

This was after a controversial letter he wrote to the local government minister, questioning the locus of the chief on the Kejetia Market Redevelopment Project.

Coupled with other acts of disrespect allegedly shown by Mr. Bonsu, the angry chiefs gave the John Mahama-led government a one-week ultimatum to remove the embattled mayor.

The chiefs, after the meeting demanding Mr. Bonsu’s sack, slaughtered a ram to sever ties with the mayor if he remained in office.

Also read: https://www.myjoyonline.com/kojo-bonsu-resigns-as-mayor-of-kumasi/

Even before President Mahama could act, the embattled mayor rendered a public apology and resigned on July 12, 2016.

The last time the Kumasi Traditional Council was called to action against a popular politician was when it banished the businessman-turned-politician, Akwasi Addai ''Odike' from the Manhyia Palace in 2022.

Odike, the founder and leader of the United Progressive Party, while appearing as a guest on Kumasi-based Oyerepa FM, unequivocally criticized the chiefs for failing to help fight the galamsey menace in the Ashanti region.

• Read also read: Odike incurs wrath of Manhyia Palace; chiefs perform rituals to banish him

His comments were not only seen as distasteful but also as a dent on the image of the Manhyia Palace, undermining the authority of Asantehene.

Oyerepa FM, as a result, went off-air for three days after being impressed upon by the chiefs for allowing its platforms to be used by Mr. Addai to attack the chiefs.

The station resumed operations after rendering an unqualified apology and subsequent deliberations with the chiefs.

Coincidentally, Acting President of the KTC, Baffuor Owusu Amankwatiah VI who doubles as Bantamahene and warlord of the Asanteman has presided over two of the three last clashes between the council and politicians.

Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party is the third politician to appear before the KTC in eight years over gross disrespect allegations.

Many political watchers have been wondering what the fate of the maverick politician could be as he face the chiefs.

He arrived at Manhyia Palace Monday morning in the company of Majority Leader in Parliament, Osei-Kyei Mensah Bonsu, and Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei-Mensah, as he responded to cheers from his teeming supporters to face the Kumasi Traditional Council, the biggest in the country.

Stay tuned.