The Kings of Asante

The position of Asantehene is still a complex one. As head of the Kumasi state, he has equal status with the heads of the other states in the Union . As Asantehene, he is commander-in-chief of the Asante army, Chief Priest; Supreme Judge, and Chief Executive. An Asantehene is also head and chairperson of the Asanteman Council, which is the highest legislative authority in Asante . He presides over all meetings of the Council. Asantehene being the commander-in-chief of the army, must be well built, physically strong and healthy. He must also be without blemish, not disabled in any form or lost any part of his body. Bravery and willingness to fight to defend the state is a criterion for selecting an Asantehene. Therefore during the installation of Asantehene he has to demonstrate this by wearing the Batakarikese and fire a gun before the Asantehemaa (Queen Mother), the Mamponghene and the Essumejahene.

1. Nana Osei Tutu	1670-1717(?)	47 years
2. Nana Opoku Ware II	1720-1750	30 years
3. Nana Kusi Bodom	1750-1764	14 years
4. Nana Osei Kwadwo	1764-1777	13 years
5. Nana Osei Kwame	1777-1798	21 years
6. Nana Opoku Fofie	1798-1799	1 year
7. Nana Osei Bonsu	1800-1823	23 years
8. Nana Osei Yaw Akoto	1824-1834	10 years
9. Nana Kwaku Duah	1834-1867	33 years
10. Nana Kofi Karikari	1867-1874	7 years
11. Nana Mensah Bonsu	1874-1883	9 years
12. Nana Kwaku Duah II	1884-1884	40 days
13. Nana Kwaku Duah III (Nana Agyeman Prempeh I)	1888-1931	43 years
14. Nana Agyeman Prempeh II	1931-1970	39 years
15. Otumfuo Opoku Ware II	1970-1999	29 years
16. Otumfuo Osei Tutu II	1999

To date the Golden Stool has had sixteen occupants - four of them since the British invasion.