Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has withdrawn all his representatives from the various district assemblies in the Ashanti Region.

Bantamahene Baffour Owusu Amankwatia, who made the revelation, said a circular announcing the Asante monarch’s decision has already been sent.

He said the traditional council feels sidelined in the local governance process by the central government.

According to him, Manyhia had five representatives on the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly and other assemblies in the region but the number has been reduced to one by the government without any reasons communicated to that effect.

Bantamahene, Baffour Owusu Amankwatia VI made the revelation when he represented the Asantehene at the 18th inauguration and swearing-in ceremony of the 18th Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly on Thursday, 23 January 2020.

“Slowly, the central government is reducing the influence of traditional leaders and the work we do in local areas. The reason I say this is first, our representation was five. Now it is down to one. Manhyia has sent a circular to withdraw all the chiefs from the assemblies because we don’t know if it is an oversight or the government is aware or unaware,” the Bantamahene said.

The assembly also elected its presiding member, Stephen Ofori, who is the assembly member for Amak