In accordance with Ashanti traditional rites, the Bretuo family and the Asante Mampong Traditional Council have officially notified the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, of the passing of Daasebre Osei Bonsu II, the Paramount Chief of the Asante-Mampong Traditional Area. Daasebre Osei Bonsu II passed away last week after a short illness.
He was enstooled as Mamponghene on August 25, 1996, succeeding his direct uncle, Nana Atakora Amaniampong II, who abdicated the stool. Known privately as Saint Oswald Gyimah-Kessie, Daasebre was born on December 31, 1939, and was an alumnus of Prempeh College and the University of Ghana, Legon.
Before ascending the Mampong stool, he served as the Registrar of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi and practiced as a lawyer. During his 26-year reign, Daasebre brought significant development to the Asante-Mampong Traditional Area and was recognized for his efforts in maintaining peace and stability. Notably, he reigned without encountering any chieftaincy disputes—a rare achievement in the history of the area.
Records at Mampong indicate that he remains the only Paramount Chief installed since 1930 under whom the Traditional Area did not experience any chieftaincy disputes or litigations.
In line with tradition, family members and traditional authorities, dressed in black attire, officially conveyed the news of his passing to the Asantehene and the Asantehemaa. The delegation included the Queenmother of the Mampong Traditional Area, Nana Agyakoma Difie, and the Queenmother of Ejisu, Yaa Asantewaa II.
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