Okuapeman mobs Otumfuo

The Chiefs and people of the Akuapem Traditional Area on Thursday gave the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, a rousing welcome to a durbar held in his honour as part of the 40th anniversary celebrations of the Akuapemhene, Nana Addo Dankwa III.

A mammoth crowd had converged at the forecourt of the Akuapemhene’s palace (Ahenbubuano) and the principal streets of Akropong to catch a glimpse of the Asantehene and his entourage.

There were shouts of appellation and waving of handkerchiefs in excitement amidst tight security.

Otumfuo, upon his arrival, waved and shook hands with a selected few, including Nana Addo Dankwa III, whom he described as a long time friend and mentor.

After gracefully taking his seat, some selected dignitaries, including government officials, chiefs and others, were allowed to shake hands with Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, but a few were also embarrassed when they were refused access to the great king of the Ashanti Kingdom. Amongst them was Akua Donkor, a 2012 presidential hopeful.

She was in a queue to greet Otumfuo but was quickly stopped by one of Otumfuo’s linguists, who asked her to go and resume her seat.

Apparently embarrassed by the turn of events, she told the media there was one man amongst the protocol whom she has a land litigation with.

She said the man had illegally taken over some acres of land belonging to her.

She suspected that the said man might have asked Otumfuo’s linguist to stop her from getting near the Ashanti monarch.

Another person, who was nearly denied access was the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of Akuapem North, George Opare Addo.

Opare Addo, who was confidently leading the Regional Minister, Antwi Boasiako Sekyere and his entourage, was asked by the chief linguist of Otumfuo, “Who are you?”

“I am the MCE,” he answered with sobriety, hoping to get the green light, but was quickly shoved aside while the minister and his deputy, Mavis Akua Frimpong, were allowed to exchange pleasantries with Otumfuo, the MCE looked on in disbelief but was resolute to have his turn.

Moments later one of the chiefs impressed upon Otumfuo’s chief linguist to allow the MCE to greet the traditional ruler, which he (linguist) obliged.

The media also had their share with everyone struggling to have the best of shots.

Despite the scourging sun, the media were resolute not to miss any detail. They occasionally broke protocol and would not mind the heckling.

They still followed up to Awukugua, the hometown of the legendary fetish priest, Okomfo Anokye, acclaimed to have turned the fortunes of the Ashanti kingdom with his fierce spiritual prowess. Even though shots were not allowed, the journalists managed to take some.

At Awukugua, traffic came to a standstill and so great was the crowd that not all members of Otumfuo’s entourage were able to enter the palace.

Like the biblical Moses, many were those who saw Okomfo Anokye’s palace, but could not enter it.

Otumfuo had earlier said his visit to the birth place of the legendary Okomfo Anokye and his palace was significant to Asanteman. He acknowledged

that Okuapeman and Asanteman are one because “if not for Okuapeman, I would not have been this great, neither would Asanteman have achieved this much.”

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II said he had rekindled the bond of friendship between Asanteman and Okuapeman.