Oseikrom, the land of my birth!!!

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Kweku Ananse 11 years ago

Thanks Asim3si George Sarpong for making my day in Lusaka with this vintage writing which gives me a clue you are about 63 years or thereabout. The lapiiwa, ampesi, apapransa, kako, momoni etc you mention give you away as an ...
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Thanks Asim3si George Sarpong for making my day in Lusaka with this vintage writing which gives me a clue you are about 63 years or thereabout. The lapiiwa, ampesi, apapransa, kako, momoni etc you mention give you away as an old timer with Broni wo awuei hi-life tunes and Kofi Ani Johnson Madamfo Pa B3ko agya me na may3 no s3n ni evergreen tune ringing in your ears. I enjoyed very much reading this, especially as you mentioned my home town Winneba and avoided NPP and NDC and Asim3si etc. Kudos. Let old madalas or bugaloo people like you and me keep this site entertaining, and buzzing with sanity and wisecracks.
>>> 11 years ago

MAYOR KOJO BONSU SHOULD a/SPEARHEAD THE PLANTING OF THOUSANDS OF NEW TREES TO GREEN UP KUMASI b/CREATE MORE PUBLIC PARKS c/CONTROL STREET LITTERING d/PROVIDE MORE STREET LIGHTS. THE ASANTEHENE MUST ENCOURAGE ALL THIS BY TELLI ...
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MAYOR KOJO BONSU SHOULD a/SPEARHEAD THE PLANTING OF THOUSANDS OF NEW TREES TO GREEN UP KUMASI b/CREATE MORE PUBLIC PARKS c/CONTROL STREET LITTERING d/PROVIDE MORE STREET LIGHTS. THE ASANTEHENE MUST ENCOURAGE ALL THIS BY TELLING KOJO BONSU TO GET HIS ASS MOVING.
Kwame Serebour (Atwima-Koforidua) 11 years ago

George it sees you have totally forgotten about the famous lake in Kumasi environs that supplies Ashanti region with drinking water.

George it sees you have totally forgotten about the famous lake in Kumasi environs that supplies Ashanti region with drinking water.
Otibu Addo 11 years ago

I think this writer has set the tone for everyone share his/her heritage to the world, its for tourism and a show of admiration for ones roots, i was born in Ahensan- Kumasi,and there lies my birth cord, i have traveled exten ...
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I think this writer has set the tone for everyone share his/her heritage to the world, its for tourism and a show of admiration for ones roots, i was born in Ahensan- Kumasi,and there lies my birth cord, i have traveled extensively but any time i am on flight back to Ghana, i have some extra joy in me because i am going home where i will get wrewre nkwan, adweni nkwan and kyinkyinga from Maayanka,. Thanks George, no place like Kumasi...cheers
Nyansasem 11 years ago

I'M LOVING IT.

I'M LOVING IT.
C.Y. ANDY-K 11 years ago

I couldn't help being amused reading this effusion of nostalgia based on false premises and what is no longer there.

Sometime back, I was embarrassed by what transpired when my better half, an Ibo, came home from a salon a ...
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I couldn't help being amused reading this effusion of nostalgia based on false premises and what is no longer there.

Sometime back, I was embarrassed by what transpired when my better half, an Ibo, came home from a salon and asked me about what she heard about Kumasi - garden city, most beautiful city in Ghana, etc. Before I completed explaining to her how it was in the past, she had logged into Youtube on her I-phone and started touring Kumasi thanks to a video someone put there. Gosh! She wasn't a bit impressed and I joined her to watch. Drab looking buildings and environment, no spanky roads, and hardly any trees in sight! Phew! Her comments? Forget it!

In reality, Kumasi looks even rickety than some provincial towns in Nigeria, not to mention cities! When collecting data in 1993 for my dissertation, I took on the GPRTU at Kejetia and Asafo One Man Seat Stations for the lack of decent toilets at those stations and the deplorable non-tarred state of Kejetia. At Kejetia, an aplanke called me Too Known on one ocassion and I promptly gave him 500 cedis, then the cost of a bottle of Coca Cola, and told him to go buy himself one for realising I know something in the midst of the ignorance I was witnessing! Come see! I quickly became "Master". "Eh! Master, where be my own?", as the others gathered round me asking me to dash them too. "Do you also think I know something, and qualified for the honourable title of Too Known," I'd shot back?

Now, that one about Oseikrom pple not being tribalistic is a big joke! They are in fact at the crux of the ethnocentric effusions and imbroglio "These Akans" I wrote about. They don't even respect Asantefuo from outside Kumasi. They nexus of that intra-Asante conflict has been examined in books, the Quills of the Porcupine by Allman, for instance. It has been said to be the reason why the CPP had a strong hold in the Ash/R, always managing to capture 33% of the popular votes; I suppose seats too. More on this later in my upcoming series.

As for being proud about the past, I believe only Asantes ignorant of that past, or still in the grips of the warped mentality of the slave trade era still loudly proclaim themselves as proud. Those who knew and are conscientised feel shame and are averse to any recall of those predatory years of raiding the ancestors of fellow Ghanaians for slaves, elephant tusks, and general booty, and committing abominable genocides, depraved human rights abuses and destruction in the process.

Btw, the writer should send me his e-mail address so that I send him a drawing of the great palaver at Dzelukope in 1874 to make peace after the Sagrenti War. My great, great grandfather was there in prime position facing the British. So was the Chief Asante Ambassador Okobim Paba. Or with you have a good library around you, go look up for the British "The Graphic" of Oct.10 1874 to see it. Small children don't know anything; that's why they saw the eagle beaten by rain and thought it was a vulture.

Andy-K
Maame 11 years ago

Your forgot to add that they are the most entrepreneural people of Ghana

Your forgot to add that they are the most entrepreneural people of Ghana
IMOTHEP 11 years ago

Stop the mouth mouth because Kwahus are most enterprising in Ghana.

Stop the mouth mouth because Kwahus are most enterprising in Ghana.
Kweku Ananse 11 years ago

This is a writer who shares fondness for his native place, Kumasi, and then you guys start diverting attention quarrelling about the most enterprising tribe in Ghana. Are you mad, eccentric, lunatic, insane, demented or psych ...
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This is a writer who shares fondness for his native place, Kumasi, and then you guys start diverting attention quarrelling about the most enterprising tribe in Ghana. Are you mad, eccentric, lunatic, insane, demented or psychotic?
mensah abrampa 11 years ago

You miss the whole point. The writer is proud of his roots and won't change it for anything. This is remarkable and I'm so proud of this writer. There's no doubt the Kwahus are another great people with a great heritage. You ...
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You miss the whole point. The writer is proud of his roots and won't change it for anything. This is remarkable and I'm so proud of this writer. There's no doubt the Kwahus are another great people with a great heritage. You see, the writer wasn't trying to do a Sweet Talk Band of the 1970s "Ye Wo Adze a Oye Ara Sokoo" (A.B. Crentsil, Lead Vocal ) type of(song) write-up here. You can take inspiration from Sarpong's scintillating "Kumasi Boy" presentation and do one of your own, exclusively for the Kwahus. No fussing. Though I consider myself a de-tribalized Ghanaian the beautiful Sarpong write-up evoked feelings of nostalgia and brought tears to my eyes. Let's bring modernity closer home but let's not forget all the good things that set us apart from other races and cultures. By all means, feel proud about your tribe, beat your chest and stomp the yard, but, more importantly, we should never allow our petty tribal differences to water down the common sense of unity that bonds us to our common Ghanaian identity and heritage.There's beauty in diversity. Without prohibition, hindrance or contradiction, let's appreciate and celebrate our tribal diversity.

NANA ARABA 11 years ago

GHANA NEEDS MORE AUTO/BIOGRAPHICAL BOOKS. EBOOKS CAN BE PRODUCED EASILY ONLINE ON AMAZON.COM ETC WE NEED TO SEE MORE LITERATURE OUT THERE IN THE WORLD TO INSPIRE GHANAIANS AND THE WORLD. DESPITE GHANA' AND AFRICA'S CORRUPT RE ...
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GHANA NEEDS MORE AUTO/BIOGRAPHICAL BOOKS. EBOOKS CAN BE PRODUCED EASILY ONLINE ON AMAZON.COM ETC WE NEED TO SEE MORE LITERATURE OUT THERE IN THE WORLD TO INSPIRE GHANAIANS AND THE WORLD. DESPITE GHANA' AND AFRICA'S CORRUPT REGIMES OVER DECADES THERE STILL ARE AND HAVE BEEN SOME INSPIRATIONAL PEOPLE IN OUR MISTS. WERE YOUR PARENTS VERY INSPIRATIONAL AND ACHIEVED GREAT THINGS IN GHANA OR ABROAD? DO U HAVE AUNTIES OR UNCLES THAT DID OR ARE DOING GREAT THINGS? HOW ABOUT YOU READING THIS? HAVE U ALWAYS HAD A DREAM TO WRITE ABOUT ANYTHING? SO START WRITING! THERE IS NEVER A PERFECT MOMENT TO START WRITING. ITS MIND OVER MATTER AND PICKING UP YOUR PEN AND WRITING ....OR SITTING BEHIND YOUR COMPUTER :) SO GHANAIANS LET US WRITE AND KEEP WRITING... WE NEED TO BE DEVELOPING LITERARY ART WORK AND THE ARTS IN GENERAL IN SPOKEN WORD AND THEATER. GHANA SHOULD HAVE FUNCTIONING THEATERS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY NOT JUST ACCRA. IF THERE IS A CINEMA HALL OR THEATER IN YOUR TOWN OR CITY IN GHANA AND THERE IS NOTHING GOING ON..START SOME ART OF SOME SORT..SPOKEN WORD WRITERS CLUB, PERFORMANCE GROUP ETC. WE HAVE TO AWAKEN OUR ARTISTIC CREATIVITY IN GHANA AND AFRICA! SO GO FORTH AND BE CREATIVE.. LET US CELEBRATE, EVOKE, AND KEEP CREATING GHANAIAN AND AFRICAN ARTS..
KUMASI TRUTH 11 years ago

Kumasi is the best!!!

Kumasi is the best!!!
Osikanii 11 years ago

This is great George. You've made my day. The nostalgia. Oseikrom is where our heart belongs. There is no city in this world where any Kumasinii will enjoy better. We greatly thank Nana Osei Tutu 1 for this special gift to us ...
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This is great George. You've made my day. The nostalgia. Oseikrom is where our heart belongs. There is no city in this world where any Kumasinii will enjoy better. We greatly thank Nana Osei Tutu 1 for this special gift to us.
piero papa 11 years ago

Man i was also born n bred in kumasi, stayed at kwadaso,had my basic and secondary education in Danyame basic and Kings college respectively. buh now occupation had denialed from the special manu. am missing oseikrom

Man i was also born n bred in kumasi, stayed at kwadaso,had my basic and secondary education in Danyame basic and Kings college respectively. buh now occupation had denialed from the special manu. am missing oseikrom
JOE 11 years ago

GEORGE,thank you for your piece.Kumasi needs international Airport.

GEORGE,thank you for your piece.Kumasi needs international Airport.
Bechemniiba(Paris) 11 years ago

Kumasi is the home town of Blacks all over the world. There are many Ashantis
abroad who would likle to help reduce unployment in Kumasi and Ashanti in general abroad as The ASANTEHENE ,Otumfour Nana OSEI TUTU II made it cle ...
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Kumasi is the home town of Blacks all over the world. There are many Ashantis
abroad who would likle to help reduce unployment in Kumasi and Ashanti in general abroad as The ASANTEHENE ,Otumfour Nana OSEI TUTU II made it clear that he needs work for His people,
but those who are prepared to establish companies at Kumasi are saying that the taxes and the money they are being asked to pay before they can even get land and plots are too expensive that they prefer the cost in Accra. SO we call upon our Kingdom Ashanti Chief to make it easier for his inhabitants to establish something lucrative at Kumasi afterall "Obi a Ope Biribi ako KOTOKO no Yenye no Abro"
Abeeku Mensah 11 years ago

Have you and others who continue to live in lala land asked why Ghana is a third world nation despite the supposed intellectual prowess that does not amount to hill of beans or bravery that at best is used in criminal activit ...
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Have you and others who continue to live in lala land asked why Ghana is a third world nation despite the supposed intellectual prowess that does not amount to hill of beans or bravery that at best is used in criminal activities and not for development? Going down memory lane should propel people to meaningful development not politics of tribal kind neither should it make people blind to realities on the ground.

How many Ghanaian homes have indoor plumbing and or have continued supply of electricity? These are achievements that matter and not some relative bravery that saw Ghana subjugated by our colonial master for years. The last time I read up on our history the British were in control of all of the Gold Coast and not only the coastal and northern regions.
Rony,kwadaso estate 11 years ago

so what's ur beef,mister??

so what's ur beef,mister??
Rony,kwadaso estate 11 years ago

so what's ur beef,mister??The guy is showing how proud he is of his city regardless of its flaws...NYC piece

so what's ur beef,mister??The guy is showing how proud he is of his city regardless of its flaws...NYC piece
Mike Olongo, USA 11 years ago

Thank you, Agya Sarpong, for this articulated, well thought out piece which brings back to me memories of my growing up days. Though not an Asante and not even born in Kumasi, I grew up there and can say without an iota of re ...
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Thank you, Agya Sarpong, for this articulated, well thought out piece which brings back to me memories of my growing up days. Though not an Asante and not even born in Kumasi, I grew up there and can say without an iota of reservation that my childhood days in Kumasi were the best days of my life. The city conjured that special feeling of homeliness about it.

Innocent Boateng 11 years ago

u 4get about Bonwire de home of rich kente

u 4get about Bonwire de home of rich kente
Innocent Boateng 11 years ago

@ Kwame Serebou owabi nd bare is a DAM not LAKE tanx

@ Kwame Serebou owabi nd bare is a DAM not LAKE tanx
Buster Bubbles 11 years ago

I could not help but be captivated by the nice rambling about Kumasi. I love it. I have been gone for fourty-one years and probably out of touch but this was really fun to read. There were no insults, nor any negetive issues ...
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I could not help but be captivated by the nice rambling about Kumasi. I love it. I have been gone for fourty-one years and probably out of touch but this was really fun to read. There were no insults, nor any negetive issues addressed but a true feeling that really brought back great memories. This coming from the ATTAH BAAH that Kumasi knew in the 60s, and seventies and a true lover of the USA, you deserve a lot of KUDOS. Keep up writing you might change my mind to come back to Ghana. I really thought that we lost all our love of this place due to politics. You still have it. Thank you.
Agyapon Ntra Omanii 11 years ago

You write that your"

"Twi may not necessarily be as concentrated and rich as that of the rural folks..."

That's wrong. You do not have to be from any part, rural or city to speak very good Twi. And by the way, it is the ...
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You write that your"

"Twi may not necessarily be as concentrated and rich as that of the rural folks..."

That's wrong. You do not have to be from any part, rural or city to speak very good Twi. And by the way, it is the "Nkuraasefuo" who eventually become "Kumasefuo."

Otherwise, great job done.

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Oseikrom, the land of my birth!!!

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