An old photo of the Asantehene (R) with Kojo Bonsu
A former Mayor of Kumasi, Kojo Bonsu, has detailed what his real relationship with the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, is.
Born Michael Kwadwo Mensah Bonsu, the former Mayor of Kumasi explained that he had to change his name to the Fante spelling of the name in order not to have it corrupted by the Whites he lived with in the United Kingdom, during his early years.
Explaining further his family lineage and his relationship with the Asantehene, Bonsu stated that he and the king of the Ashanti grew up together in the same house because his father took care of them.
“My father was an ohene nana, and he’s a royal… the ohene nana is like the king’s grandchildren… the Mensah Bonsus – all the Mensah Bonsus. It’s a big family. In fact, the one on the throne, the Otumfuo now, is the 11th on the Golden Stool; all the Mensah Bonsus; he’s the 11th on the Golden Stool.
“The Otumfuo now is my cousin. We Ashantis say he is our brother because it was my father who looked after him. He took him to school, and that’s his uncle… we call him brother, but we are not. We lived together, and I didn’t really know he was my cousin. I used to call him my brother. So, Otumfuo Osei Tutu is my first cousin, who we Asantes say is ‘brother’ or ‘menua,’” he explained.
Kojo Bonsu also explained the circumstances that led to a change in the spelling of his name; from Kwadwo to Kojo, which is the Fante version of the name.
“I am sure people may be wondering why I spell my name K-O-J-O… because in UK, because I lived mostly in the UK, if you go and write K-W-A-D-W-O, they will mess your name. So, I decided to spell it the way they can spell it because I don’t want my name to be messed up. It’s the Fante spelling, Kojo, but I am Kwadwo Bonsu… my actual Christian name – I am a Catholic, is Michael. When I was in school, everybody used to call me Micky, Mike, but I love Kojo because I was named after my grandfather and my father.
“… My mom is from Offinso. My mom was Nana Adwoa Pokua; the late Offinsohemaa, and my father is Kwadwo Mensah Bonsu. He’s a military man who went into the Worker’s Brigade, and he’s an ohene nana,” he added.
AE
