Traditional Fury: 4 prominent Ghanaians who have faced the wrath of chiefs

One of the biggest mistakes a Ghanaian can make is to incur the wrath of traditional leaders, regardless of their status or reputation in the country.

A comment or act that is typically deemed harmless can lead to trouble when it ruffles the feathers of these leaders.

Several Ghanaian personalities have, over the years, faced the wrath of traditional leaders for comments and statements considered disrespectful or offensive by these leaders.

Though some had their issues resolved amicably, others cannot claim the same luxury, as their matters remain unresolved.

GhanaWeb takes a look at the four personalities who have incurred the wrath of chiefs in the country:



1. Diana Asamoah and the Ga Traditional Council

The gospel musician incurred the wrath of the Ga Traditional Council in 2021 when she stated in a Facebook live video that the strength of God would ensure that very soon the traditional festival Homowo would no longer be celebrated in Accra.

Her comment offended the traditional leaders and the people of Ga, who described it as derogatory and divisive. She was summoned to appear before the elders despite having rendered an apology.

During her appearance, she knelt to apologise for her comments, which were ultimately accepted.



2. Okatakyie Afrifa and the Nungua Traditional Council>

The vociferous TV presenter was summoned by the Nungua Traditional Council following allegations of making disparaging comments against Nuumo Gborbu Wulomo-Shitse, the Overlord of the Gadangme State, and King Odaifio Welentsi III, the paramount chief of the Nungua traditional area.

Okatakyie’s comment came in the wake of an alleged child marriage between Gborbu Wulomo and a 16-year-old.

Appearing before the council on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, the presenter pleaded for pardon while attributing his indiscretion to being misinformed and having little knowledge about the status of the Gborbu Wulomo at the time of his tirade.

3. Bishop Agyinasare and Nogokpo

The renowned man of God during a sermon in July 2023, described Nogokpo in the Volta Region as the "demonic headquarters" in the region.

His comment, which didn’t sit well with the indigenes of Nogokpo, caused an outrage.

Subsequently, the man of God was issued a 14-day ultimatum by the chiefs and residents of Nogokpo to report and engage in peace talks or face their wrath.

The invitation was never honored by the man of God with the deadline elapsing.

4. Afia Pokua, Mona Gucci, and the Manhyia Palace

As has been established by GhanaWeb in a past article, one of the major 'sins' people should never commit, regardless of their status in the country, is disrespecting the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.

The controversy began when Afia Pokua, a journalist at Agoo TV, criticised the Asantehene for his perceived silence amid ongoing conflicts involving his subjects and other tribes, including the Bonos.

On Onua FM’s ‘Bribi Gye Gye wo,’ hosted by Mona Gucci, Pokua expressed frustration with what she sees as Ashantis proving superiority over other tribes and the Asantehene’s refusal to act on it.

These statements sparked massive outrage among the Ashantis, with many individuals, including sub-chiefs and queen mothers, openly voicing their criticism.

After apologising on their respective social media platforms for disrespecting the Asantehene and offering another apology on live TV, Afia Pokua and Mona Gucci honored the invitation to Manhyia Palace to deliver a formal apology to Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.

However, her apology was rejected, and she was asked to leave and never set foot there again.

A representative of Otumfuo while rejecting the apology said, “Who are you to disrespect the Otumfuo? If you’ve grown wings, don’t direct them towards Kumasi. You said you’re from Kwahu but the people of Kwahu even broke away from the Ashanti region. It is our language they speak.

“Take your cursed self and your troubles with you. Whatever you encounter in the future, face it alone. Never set foot here again,” he stated bluntly.

MAG/MA