My doubts about Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II being a man of integrity is almost confirmed by a video posted on YouTube portal. Whenever I take time and patience to watch this video, I learn something new that not only infuriates me but also, makes me form further negative opinions about Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and his Asanteman Council of Chiefs.
From a video on the enstoolment of the then royal Kwaku Duah as Kumasihene cum Asantehene Osei Tutu II, as posted on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGLW9aWltDQ), I could see a man, probably one of the Kumasi chiefs or linguists advise him. This person advised him as thus, "As you are being sworn in as Asantehene, mind you, you do not have any mother, father or friends. It is only by the truth that you will reign and you have to tell the truth at all times"
However, from another video on same YouTube portal titled, "Asantehene involves in corruption" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ac8wZIPlVu8), he could clearly be seen and heard doing contrary to the advice offered to him. In this video, a statement was made, "Kumawuhemaa after accepting the customary drinks from the various royals seeking to become Kumawuhene said she had nothing more to do with us. She would go to see Otumfuo and however he advises her, so shall she do"
Now, it turned out that after her consultations with Asantehene, Kumawuhemaa Abenaa Serwaah Amponsah bribed the Kumawu kingmakers in an attempt to influence them to elect her desired candidate Dr Yaw Sarfo to occupy the Kumawu Koduah Stool.
Inferring from the earlier statement, could one not correctly conclude that it was Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II who advised her to give the bribe? Could it also not be him who strongly admonished her to declare the offer and acceptance of the bribery in public so that they could use it to compel the Kumawu kingmakers to act in conformity to their pre-arranged plan?
Less did they know that they were breaching the statutes of Ghana and the conventions of Akan chieftaincy dispute resolutions? What a perfect situation of "Man proposes but God disposes?"
Since Serwaah Amponsah made it known to some royals as ascertained on the video that she would do exactly as advised by Asantehene, yes, one can say without mincing words that it was Otumfuo Osei Tutu II who directed her to offer the bribe. If he did, what was his motive behind that ploy? Was it to ensnarl the Kumawu kingmakers, then oblige them to perform the exact duty for which they have accepted some bribe as could be seen to unfold in the video where Manso-Nkwanthene, Mamponghene and almost all the gathered chiefs who I can accuse of being complicit in the plot forced them to accept Dr Yaw Sarfo because the kingmakers by accepting bribe had committed themselves to the course of electing Yaw Sarfo already?
Did Otumfuo Osei Tutu II go by the words of wisdom imparted to him at his swearing in ceremony? No, he didn't. He rather chose dishonesty, favouritism, money than truthfulness hence the bitter and disgraceful aftermath of the adjudication of the Kumawu Stool dispute.
Asantehene colluded to insult the intelligence of the Kumawuman people but it has backfired on him. We are not stupid and cowards as he thought. He should have known better. He should have been told about the warrior-history of Kumawuman and how we get energized and spiritually possessed when we sing our song "Owam eei, Owam eei, Owam kesebrekuo eei...."
I am completely flabbergasted at the entire deplorable and seemingly naïve and coward attitude displayed by the entire Asanteman Council of Chiefs. There was none among the lot that could stand on their feet to declare that the bribery was wrong except Kukuomhene who timidly was trying to make a sensible point but ended up siding with his previous colleagues.
To be honest with the current crop of Asanteman chiefs, I have absolutely lost respect for them. They are dishonest, greedy and selfish.
My recent encounter with God through one of His methods of revealing things and Himself to mankind has restrained me from being absurdly emotional or else, I would have had a go at our Asanteman chiefs who feed on lies.
In future, do not play with Kumawuman people because we are not cowards who will crouch down to accept lies and nonsense from whoever?
To educate Asantehene and Asanteman Council of Chiefs, be it please known to you that:
Kumawu Aduanahene is a TRUE royal regardless of the performance of traditions (rites) to excommunicate his family from ascension to the Kumawu Koduah Stool.
Kumawu Ankaase "royal family" members have no direct or indirect patrilineal or matrilineal lineage to Barimah Tweneboah Koduah I, the originator of the Kumawu Koduah Stool.
Kumawu Aduanahene's position was created by Barimah Kwame Afram but not Barimah Otuo Acheampong
Kumawuhemaa and her family members are not part of the Ananangya royal family, the true matrilineal descendants of Barimah Tweneboah Koduah I.
The Ananangyas and the Odumases are of the same and one matrilineal descent – "Seni Fontom"
Asantehene has no traditional right to force anyone on Kumawuman as their Omanhene
Asanteman Council of Chiefs has no right to collectively appear in public or private to insult the intelligence of Kumawuman people through their imaginatively fabricated lies probably influenced by their underhand dealings with Kumawuhemaa as might have been advised by Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II
Respect is earned but not commanded
I get more annoyed when after all this cockup Asantehene has the shameless audacity to brag that no court in Ghana has the authority to reverse his decisions taken when he adjudicates cases, regardless of such decisions being completely prejudicial and completely preposterous as it was in the Kumawu chieftaincy dispute. This is confirmed in a YouTube video titled, "Is there any one man bigger than...) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OyOnlURv7Ys)
Rockson Adofo
