List of rulers of Asante
The Asantehene is the king of the Ashanti people and the historical Ashanti Empire. Today the role is mostly ceremonial.
The royal line comes from the Oyoko clan, specifically the Abohyen Dynasty. The Ashanti Empire was founded in 1701 by Osei Tutu, who became Asantehene, or King of all Ashanti. He ruled until his death in battle in 1717 and was the sixth king in Ashanti history.
A king sits on the golden stool, known as the Sika dwa, and is the ruler of Kumasi, the capital. At the height of its power, the Ashanti Empire covered parts of what is now southern Ghana and eastern Côte d’Ivoire.
The current Asantehene is Otumfuo Nana Osei Tutu II, who became the 16th king in April 1999.
Succession works through a council system. After a king dies, the Mamponghene acts as regent until a new king is chosen by councils of nobles and royal family members. This process was briefly changed during the late 19th century civil war when the regent was the governing council.
Colonial history affected the title. The Ashanti Confederacy became a British protectorate in 1902 and the Asantehene title was discontinued. In 1926, Prempeh I returned and could use the title Kumasehene (not Asantehene). In 1935, partial self-rule was granted and the title Asantehene was revived as part of the Kingdom of Ashanti.
All rulers in this line belong to the Oyoko Abohyen Dynasty. Regents have always been from the Mamponghene title.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 06:56 (CET).