Tepamanhene Nana Adusei Atwenewa I has revealed that the famous fetish priest Okomfo Anokye and Tepa Barnie, the river deity of Tepa, are the gods behind the spiritual protection of Asanteman.
According to him, Okomfo Anokye, due to his affiliation with Agona, together with Tepa Barnie, are the bishops or spiritual leaders of the land.
Their primary role, he explained, is to perform spiritual cleansing for all functions of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
Speaking in an interview on UTV on September 20, 2025, Nana Adusei Atwenewa I emphasised that they serve as "pastors" or "reverend ministers" of the Manhyia Palace, ensuring the spiritual safety and progress of the kingdom.
The sacred role of Tepa Barnie in Asante tradition
"We are pastors of the palace, reverend ministers. We perform libation before the Asantehene can hold any function. For funerals, if we tell him not to attend, he won't attend. If he intends to kill someone and we advise against it, he will stop.
"We have done a lot for Asanteman, which is why he made us wear white to be easily identified," he said.
He explained further that the Asantehene does not embark on any official function without first consulting Tepa Barnie and the then-Okomfo Anokye.
"He doesn't hold any function just like that. He always consults Barnie and Agona, which is Okomfo Anokye, before proceeding. When he arrives at a function, he looks to his left and sees Okomfo Anokye and on his right, Tepa Barnie. That is how he knows the way is clear," the Tepamanhene noted.
Nana Adusei Atwenewa I also disclosed that the Tepa Barnie god is believed to provide children to barren couples.
He cited the example of Nana Agyeman Prempeh II, whose birth, according to tradition, was made possible through the intervention of Tepa Barnie.
He stressed that many children with special identities have been born through the blessings of the deity.
AM/SEA
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