Another Perfect Opportunity for Asantehene to Redeem his Sinking Image

Kumawu chieftaincy disputation, arbitration and degeneration in that sequential order has in my opinion presented Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, with another opportunity delivered on a silver platter to redeem his seeming soiled or fast sinking reputation and image.

For almost the past seven years, his integrity has persistently come under attack for various reasons. In the resolution of chieftaincy conflicts, he has not excelled himself creditably. The case of Kumawu is a perfect example. He could not bring himself to tell the truth but dodged it by pronouncing a “draw – draw” score verdict as though it was in a game of football, basketball, boxing and the like.

In resolving a chieftaincy issue of the magnitude assumed by Kumawu, there should surely be a vanquished and a victor. However, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II sitting in Council with the chiefs of Asanteman, pronounced a verdict that made any ear that heard it tingled. He delivered a likely football nil-nil score to the case,”apae”, he said.

I remember, once a chief of Kumasi Bantama pronounced a similar judgment to a case and he was forced to slaughter a sheep to appease the gods, the elders and people of Asanteman for declaring such a shameless “apae” verdict. Those charging him said there could never be such verdict in chieftaincy conflict resolution.

Anyway, the people of Kumawu Traditional Council area have come out in their multitudes on Monday, 9 December 2013 to declare their protestation against Kumawuhemaa imposing any candidate of her choice anyhow on them.

They held high their placards on which their reasons to reject the queen’s nominee and whatever she stands for boldly spelt on. This culminated in the invocation of 4-time “Asantehene Ntamkese” on the queen.

Now, the “Ahenenananomhene” of Kumawu, a citizen of Asante-Kwamang, a confidant of Kumawuhemaa, has the following to say after the dubiously arranged enthronement of one Dr Sarfo ended in a debacle.

1. Kumawuhemaa has told me that what happened on Monday will amount to nothing when taken before Asantehene. I shall still have my way. I shall prevail over the enemies.

2. People should support Kumawuhemaa to install her candidate as Kumawuhene. Kumawu has more money waiting to be shared where all supporters would individually benefit from it if Kumawuhemaa’s candidate is enthroned.

The above are the information the mentioned sub-chief is spreading among people in Kumawu. Asantehene had better send in his secret agents and assigns or spies to ascertain the truth or the falsity of the claims. It is this same sub-chief who prior to the shenanigans perpetrated by Kumawuhemaa on Monday 9 December 2013, distributed smock/cassock (“batakari/fuugu”) to people in Kumawu canvassing them to throw their weight behind the queen to install a candidate of her sole choice as the paramount chief of Kumawu despite any unforeseen impediments in her way.

I expect the Asantehene to use this occasion to salvage his fast sinking reputation. The people of Kumawuman have decided and spoken. The choice of the people is the choice of God. The voice of the people is the voice of God.

It is only a foolish leader who may decide to swim upwards against the current of a fast flowing river. A good leader hears the voice of his people and listens to it. Nothing can quell the cemented cooperate resolute determination by the people to have the person of their choice to lead them.

Opportunity knocks but once. However, Asantehene should count himself lucky that same opportunity is knocking on his doors for a second time. Let us all wait and see how he will avail himself of it.

He should have himself to blame but not me, if he lets it slip through his fingers, fooled by any special relationship or bond that may exist between the queen and him that has been in the public domain for “x” number of years.

Nothing can conquer the resolve by the people to have a person of their choice to lead them. This time around, not even Atuguba can reverse it, I swear God!

To better understand this piece, please read my article titled, “Invoking “Asantehene Great Oath” Saved Kumawu from Bloodbath” published on Ghanaweb under the Feature Article of Wednesday, 11 December 2013 and those of Modernghana and SpyGhana on Tuesday 10 December 2013.

I dedicate this publication to Paa Adjei, the late Kofi Dadzie’s younger brother formerly residing in Switzerland.

Rockson Adofo