Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II
Kwame Ahenfie, an actor and longtime dancer who entertains Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II at funerals, has addressed the controversy surrounding his attendance at the final funeral rites of the late Paramount Chief of the Berekum Traditional Area, Daasebre Dr. Amankona Diawuo II.
The event, held on November 23, 2023, at Berekum saw a misunderstanding that led to a series of unfortunate insults directed at Kwame Ahenfie, the actor has said.
Speaking on The Delay Show with Deloris Frimpong Manso, Ahenfie who is in his thirties, explained the series of events that led to the fracas. According to him, the purpose of their visit was solely to pay respects.
“We didn’t go there to fight. The Bonos have really insulted me. They claim we came for the funeral purposely to fight them but that wasn’t the case. Our chief had died and we were there with Otumfuo as part of the Asantehene’s entourage,” Ahenfie recounted during the interview monitored by GhanaWeb.
The said tension arose when Ahenfie, along with Appiah Stadium, a popular Kumasi-based serial caller, arrived in the town. According to Kwame Ahenfie, as they entered, Appiah Stadium greeted the locals, saying, “Hello Bonos, we’re here ooo.”
This greeting, he said, was met with hostility, with some Bonos making derogatory remarks about him [Ahenfie].
“They said, 'Is this the person you’ve brought for a fight?’ The insults hurled at me were too much. For about a week, I hadn’t put on my phone. The calls and insults were overwhelming,” Ahenfie, a little person, disclosed.
What could have led to the misunderstanding
Before the funeral, the Sunyani High Court had restrained Dormaahene, Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyeman Badu II from attending the event on Thursday, November 23 since it could lead to a breach of the peace.
The legal action was aimed at forestalling any potential disorder arising from the presence of the Asantehene and the Dormaahene, considering the posture and public utterances of the Dormaahene against the Asantehene on why Dormaa cannot be part of Asanteman.
Why Otumfuo attended Berekumhene’s funeral
Nana Sarfo Kantanka, a historian, provided reasons for Otumfuo's decision in an interview on Neat FM.
He mentioned that Berekum holds a special place in Otumfuo's heart as a town he personally developed. He explained that Otumfuo facilitated the migration of people from Ashanti to Berekum and contributed to its growth, considering the town an integral part of Asanteman.
"First of all, Otumfuo has many paramount chiefs (Manhene) under him, and the number is currently approaching 65. Those who serve well are honoured by him, and those who serve diligently are closely monitored to ensure that he rewards them.
“One of the most significant rewards he offers is attendance at the funerals of those who have served him well. What happened at Berekum is an example.
“Furthermore, Berekum is one of the towns that he personally developed; he brought people from Asante to settle there and encouraged them to multiply. This implies that the place belongs to him, and he does not take such places lightly.
“All these factors contribute to the reason why the Asantehene decided to attend and honour the funeral as a historical remembrance."
Watch Kwame Ahenfie's interview below.
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