? The long awaited counter response to the alleged horrendous bribery of the century involving Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and some judges has now come to clear the air.
? I read on Ghanaweb under their General News of Tuesday, 8 October 2013, a publication obtained from the Daily Graphic. This publication attributed to Otumfuo Osei Tutu II was entitled, "Asantehene summons accusers before God, Golden Stool". It was an exonerative response most Ghanaians have been yearning for in the wake of the criminally-intent and reputation-tarnishing allegation levelled against the Asantehene. Many a Ghanaian, especially the Asantes, on hearing the allegation, could not wait but to take the Asante Overlord to the cleaners. ?
I am personally happy and satisfied that Otumfuo has done exactly as I had wished. He has even gone further than I had expected. I had challenged him to clear his name by invoking the lesser gods as I do not have even an iota of trust in the Law Courts following the Supreme Court’s recent lamentable verdict delivered by Justice William Atuguba on Election 2012 petition. Otumfuo went further to solicit the punishment of God and the Golden Stool on his accusers if indeed, their accusation against him of having served as a conduit used by the respondents in Election 2012 petition to bribe some of the Supreme Court judges to induce them to decide the case in favour of President John Dramani Mahama was true.
? Now, the onus falls back on the peddlers, especially the originator ( New Free Press online), of the allegation, to prove to the worldwide Ghanaian public and all interested persons that indeed, Asantehene did as they alleged.
As said in one of my previous published articles, I will only take the originating accuser serious if and only if, he invokes the lesser gods that are really perceived to have no patience for fools who capriciously invoke them just to malign others for the joy of mere malevolence. Will the accuser go the extra mile to seek the punishment of God (Allah if that Alhaji Suraju Musah Mohammed is a Muslim) on which of the two – accuser or the accused – that may be lying? In the absence of such further challenge, the accuser (New Free Press Online) must render unqualified apology not only to Otumfuo but to all Ghanaians, especially the Asantes. ? ? Much as I appreciate the response by Otumfuo, I am unsettled by two statements in the said publication of defence issued by him. They are, "Otumfuo Osei Tutu said his kingship was not to please man but God and the Golden Stool that he served" and "Otumfuo Osei Tutu, therefore, urged the members of the Asanteman Traditional Council to stand firm and defend the Golden Stool, which represented the soul and spirit of Asanteman".
? I believe as long as he was appointed by human beings, his mother (Nana Afua Kobi) to be precise, and the assisting kingmakers, he is obliged to do things that will please the very people he rules. Until he gets this point clear and his acts correct, he may act in disrespect of his subjects and that will incur their wrath and condemnations as it is currently the case. How could you please God that you do not see but displease the very people you live with? Does the bible not condemn those who claim to love God that they do not see but hate their brothers they see as hypocrites and liars?
? For it to be well with Otumfuo, I advise him from today forward to learn to do things, good things of course, that are pleasant to the majority of the people he serves as the mighty Overlord of Asanteman.
? Furthermore, may I question how the Asanteman Traditional Council is able to stand firm to defend the Golden Stool? It can only do so by the "Amanhene" living lives worthy of emulation. Some of the attitudes of the modern day chiefs in Ghana stink. With the corruption and absurd partisanship in daily depiction by some of the chiefs that have cost them the respect of their subjects, on what legs are they going to stand to defend the Golden Stool? If the chiefs act responsibly, the Golden Stool is defended and respected automatically but if they don’t, the Golden Stool is disgraced no matter any coercive methods they employ to ensure commanded respect for it.
? Asantes require their chiefs to live more responsible lives than the questionable attitudes that have become part and parcel of their daily lives. Once again, I say, respect is earned but not commanded. The world has changed so much that the younger Ghanaian generation that is open to other civilized cultures will not continue to kowtow to our traditional leaders who by their acts are found more irresponsible than otherwise.
? In general, the defence is accepted. I hope everyone will bury their hatchet now. Nonetheless, my advice to Otumfuo is, please do away with people of dubious characters. Do not associate with questionable characters for it is said, "Birds of the same feathers flock together" or "show me your friend and I will tell you your character" or "bad company corrupts good character". I do not want to mention names of people that you need to dissociate yourself from. You are old enough to know better.
? To show the seriousness I attach to this write-up, let me please define the caption to get things clearer to my readers. "Clear the air" means "To dispel differences or emotional tensions". "In the clear" means "Free from burdens or dangers or not subject to suspicion or accusations of guilt"
? Rockson Adofo
