BY Grace Zigah
A social media outburst against the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has ended in violence after the man behind the insults, identified as Mustapha, was allegedly assaulted by unknown individuals.
The development has reignited debate over respect for traditional authority and the risks of mob justice.
The controversy began when Mustapha recorded himself on video mocking the Asantehene’s recent directive urging residents in Kumasi and surrounding areas to observe an early curfew.
The order, issued by the Manhyia Palace, was intended to strengthen security and maintain public order in the Ashanti regional capital. Many residents welcomed the move as a measure to curb crime.
Mustapha, however, ridiculed the directive in crude language, saying “only fools will obey and sleep early.” His comments, which quickly spread across TikTok, Facebook, and WhatsApp, were condemned as highly disrespectful to the Ashanti monarch and an open challenge to the traditional authority of the Golden Stool.
The backlash was swift. Reports soon emerged that the young man had been attacked by unknown assailants, apparently in retaliation for his remarks.
Though the details of the assault remain unclear, it coincided with a sudden turnaround in his tone on social media.
Hours after the insults went viral, a new video appeared on Mustapha’s page.
This time, a visibly shaken man retracted his earlier statements and offered a heartfelt apology to Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, pleading for forgiveness and acknowledging the pain his words had caused.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, who ascended the Golden Stool in 1999, is widely revered not only in the Ashanti Kingdom but across Ghana for his role in preserving tradition, mediating conflicts, and influencing national affairs.
Disrespect toward his office has historically provoked strong reactions, reflecting the enduring power and symbolism of chieftaincy in Ghana.
