Okyehene in "low spirits" in India

In dry state Gujarat, Ghana province chief in low spirits
AHMEDABAD, India: "How do the state's subjects survive without booze? What's dry?" This cocktail of irritation and wonder came from the head of Akyem Abuakwa, who had checked into Ahmedabad to undergo an eye surgery. Akyem Abuakwa is a unitary traditional state in Eastern Ghana and its chief is bestowed the title of Okyenhene.

"How odd it is! It feels a bit like role reversal ...for the first time, the chief and not the subjects are being punished," Okyenhene Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin II said.

The deprivation of liquor was the most unbearable part of his stay in Gujarat. "I have not been able to drink," he said. "For tipplers like me, it's difficult to come to terms with this kind of situation. How do Gujaratis survive without liquor?"

Then he wistfully recalled how happiness flowed in his region. "In Akyem, you'll find beer, vodka and wine everywhere," he said. "People go to pubs and have a colourful lifestyle."

He could have applied for a liquor permit at the city airport's international terminal. But it seems that his status prevented him from doing so. "I am not supposed to stand in queues," he said.

When the Okyenhene was told that liquor was banned in Gujarat as a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi, his anger was somewhat diluted. "Gandhi was indeed the greatest man the world has ever seen," he said. "His theory of non-violence has inspired generations." A second later, he wondered about Gujarat's crime rate. He was pleased that women could commute in the city in relative safety.

On Monday, Amoatia Ofori was operated for complicated cataracts in both eyes by city-based ophthalmologist Dipan Desai. "Cataracts were detected by doctors in the UK who put me on medication," he said. "Soon, I got used to popping pills but there was no relief. I was also referred to doctors in the US, but nothing changed."