Otumfuo Shakes Mills

he political temperature in the country rose to an unusual level yesterday when the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II put President John Evans Atta Mills on a tight rope by asking him to choose between him and the Techimanhene, a less influential chiefdom, but said to be openly sympathetic to the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC). President Mills, who had maintained silence since the Tuobodom-Techiman impasse broke out 10 days ago, suddenly woke up to the reality of the unfolding tension, sending his security capos to Kumasi to broker truce.

The impasse is part of a degenerating security situation between the people of Techiman and Tuobodom on one side and now the powerful Asantehene on the other, with the government perceived to be taking sides.

There was tension especially in both the Ashanti and Brong Ahafo regions, leaving the President and his minders to run helter-skelter in search of a remedy to address the burgeoning security challenge.

The Asantehene also asked the government to remove the Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Kwadwo Nyamekye-Maafo and the Regional Police Commander, DCOP Seth Oteng, two persons in whom he has lost confidence as regards the security of the region, especially in handling the protracted Tuobodom chieftaincy dispute.

In response to the Asante King’s open anger and query, a shaken President Mills yesterday dispatched a high-level team of emissaries led by the National Security Advisor, Brig Joseph Nunoo-Mensah (rtd), to go and intervene in the impasse.

Making up the delegation were Dr Joe Oteng Adjei, Minister of Energy, Dr Christiana Amoako-Nuamah, a Presidential staffer, Kojo Bonsu, Alhaji Collins Dauda, and Johnson Asiedu Nketia aka General Mosquito, NDC General Secretary. Joining the delegation for the Manhyia mission were members of the Ashanti Regional Security Council, headed by the Regional Minister, Kofi Opoku Manu.

Their term of reference was basically to seek a lasting solution to the impasse and the degenerating security situation.

Even though the meeting was behind closed doors, DAILY GUIDE gathered that the National Security Advisor expressed satisfaction at the reception accorded the delegation at Manhyia.

He assured the Ashanti King that government would launch a full-scale investigation into the matter and any person found culpable would be dealt with according to the law.

He appealed to the Otumfuo and his subordinate chiefs, Nananom, to remain calm and have faith in government to do a thorough job in ensuring peace in the country.

He assured the Otumfuo that he would report what he discussed with him to the President.

The delegation moves to Sunyani today to meet the Techimanhene, Oseadeeyo Akumfi-Ameyaw.

The Public Relations Officer of the Asantehene, Osei Antwi, told the media that the Otumfuo had narrated to the delegation what the Tuobodomhene told him about his ordeal at the hands of the Techimanhene when he was abducted and taken to his palace.

The Otumfuo wants the truth to be told and the appropriate laws applied, giving the assurance that he would not condone any act of lawlessness from Asanteman, the PRO said, adding that the Ashanti King is prepared to cooperate with the authorities to allow peace to prevail.

A meeting of the Asanteman Council on Monday witnessed the Asantehene in an unusual mood, angry about the treatment meted out to the Tuobodom chief.

The Tuobodom chief was earlier abducted within the premises of a court and taken to the palace of the Techiman chief, assaulted and handed over to the police- an action which the Asantehene expressed opprobrium about.

There was no denying the Asantehene’s anger over what appeared to be a subtle government support for the Techimanhene.

The Asantehene alluded to what for him is the sudden U-turn of the Techimanhene to the camp of the new political administration, after a similar flirtation with the previous government.

The Techimanhene is said to have openly declared that it is his government that is in power, at the time the Tuobodom chief was brought to his palace like a game.

This, the Asantehene expressed disappointment about, and many who observed the proceedings at the Manhyia Palace during the Asanteman Council engagement said they have never seen the King in such a mood.

It would be recalled that the Asantehene, during an earlier Akwasidae activity, expressed concern about the open victimization of Asantes in the public service with the ‘proceed on leave mantra’, warning that the phenomenon must stop.