?
Once again, and hopefully for the last time, the yet to be properly resolved Kumawu chieftaincy issue has been brought before the Asante Overlord, the Occupant of the Golden Stool, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, for a more credible arbitration.
?
The tenacity of Kumawuhemaa to defy the wish of the citizenries all of the time, has ignited curious interest and local debate among the people. As we speak, many a Kumawu citizen resident abroad feels very ashamed to declare to friends that they hail from Kumawu. This lack of pride to acknowledge their place of birth in public emanates from the fact that Kumawu, the seat of the paramount chief and District headquarters, is not only a shadow of its former self, but also, suffering persistent deterioration in every facade of essential development.
?
Is it not a problem to access a public toilet in Kumawu let alone, talking about the existence of decent toilets? Many homes have not a toilet of their own. From practical fact finding investigations I conduct whenever I proceed to Kumawu on holiday, many are the homes with children defecating in their backyard, leaving the human excreta only to be cleaned up by dogs or their parents. This is how bad the situation is among many other problems – lack of potable water with the attendant rampant fatal cholera outbreaks.
?
Amid all these shameful problems, the seemingly callous and nonchalant queen has the indecent audacity to enter into some sort of a secret pact, potentially debilitating to Kumawuman, with some paramount chiefs within the Asanteman Council. These chiefs with vested interest in the gradual annihilation of Kumawuman, may have secretly ill-advised the queen to take after an untraditional method to installing the next Kumawuhene.
?
The unknown chiefs are surely the architects or instigators behind the recent unleashing of a calculated, but very untraditional onslaught, on the rights of the people of Kumawu traditional area. This incident happened on Monday, 9 December 2013. This ludicrous attempt by the queen was intended to impose her avowed choice of candidate on Kumawu as the successor paramount chief to the late Barima Asumadu Sakyi II.
?
Her candidate, one Dr Sarfo, (in medicine) had not even crossed the first traditional hurdle. He had not even been introduced to the Kingmakers let alone, being scrutinized for eligibility and acceptance when the queen arranged macho men, policemen and soldiers to tyrannically assist her crown him the "Omanhene" of Kumawu traditional area.
?
Her machismo that saw both the Kumawu Aduanahene and the Ananangya Royal family head, grabbed, held high in the air with their feet wobbling, and chucked away from the presence of the assembled Kingmakers by macho men on orders of Kumawuhemaa was robustly riposted.
?
Kumawu Kontrihene reminded her in public of the terms spelt out by the Asante Overlord prior to enthroning whomever as Kumawu Omanhene. Having realised her mistake, she ordered the re-entry of the two heads she had just demeaned in public into Kontrihene’s house where the activity was taking place.
?
On entry, both heads slapped her with the invocation of the Great Oath of Asantehene. This action was supported by similar invocations by Paa Adjei and Karikari, both from Ankaase family in which the queen belongs.
?
From my investigations carried out five years ago, which still stands the test of time, she has promised some of the most powerful paramount chiefs within Asanteman hefty sums of money and parcels of stool lands should they assist her install her preferred candidate as the chief of Kumawu.
?
Is it therefore any strange scenario to you when say, Mamponghene, Offinsohene, Manso-Nkwantahene and Ejisuhene (with question mark to his name) are supportive of the queen regardless of her illegal moves? These chiefs as blinded by insatiable greed believe that the people of Kumawuman are perpetually ignoramuses that they can toy with, having manipulated the equally insanely greedy queen.
?
Woe betides these chiefs. Their actions are tantamount to needlessly meddling with the lives of the inhabitants of Kumawuman. They will never succeed in their plot to dehumanize the people of Kumawuman. Why would they want to exacerbate the suffering of the people just to satisfy their selfish quest for wealth?
?
Gladly, the people are so sensitised to the fact that sitting on their backside doing nothing while some chiefs connive with Kumawuhemaa to exploit them as explained will make them look fools beyond redemption.
?
It is only my prayer that Asantehene does not come up with his incomprehensible "apae" verdict again. I also hope he has spent time studying Kumawu history to know the actual originators of the Kumawu paramountcy.
?
Kumawuman Association in Germany has declared support for the farsighted, incorruptible and only true royal candidate from Ananangya. Who do the Kumawuman Associations in the UK, USA, France, Holland, Italy etc. support? Declare where you stand now and I shall make it known to the whole world.
?
In order not to cruise for bruising, all intended resorts to special or personal relationships, be they sexual or whatever, must be eschewed by Asantehene. People will not take it kindly to any verdict perceived to hinge on special relationship to whomever, as the once nonsensical "apae" verdict denoted.
?
A stitch in time saves nine.
?
Rockson Adofo
