By Dr. James Charles London alias Nana Kwame Afram
(Principal member of the Kumawu/Ankaase Abira Aduana royal family)
A LOT OF concerns have been raised by supposed concerned citizens of Kumawu who call themselves Kumawuman Citizens Living Abroad (KCLA) regarding the installation of Barima Sarfo Tweneboa Kodua as the Omanhene of Kumawu Traditional Area.
This group wants Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene to back off from Kumawu Chieftaincy Affairs accusing him of meddling in the Kumawu case according to media reports.
The position of these faceless protestors is informed by the fact that they are not abreast with the development at home and have therefore refused to see reason with the true state of affairs no matter how the true picture is painted.
I am compelled by their ignorance to paint a better and clear picture of the Kumawu Chieftaincy issue for the consumption of the general reading public and thus create a mutual understanding of the issue.
I am aware that the agitation by a group of trouble makers including some prominent citizens of the community has come about following the destoolment of five chiefs in November last year for their rebellious moves against Asanteman presided by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Ashanti Overlord.
To begin, let me emphasize that no chief has been imposed on Kumawu by Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene.
Barima Sarfo Tweneboa Kodua was properly nominated, installed and sworn in as the 24th Omanhene of Kumawu on October 30, 2014.
The Queen Mother in the person of Nana Serwah Amponsah who has the prerogative to nominate and install a chief for vacant stool as enshrined in Asante custom, upon the demise of the late Kumawuhene did due diligence to ensure the enstoolment of the Kumawuhene.
On Friday November 1, 2013, the Queen sent Akyeame to inform various Heads of the Aduana royal family including Ankaase, Anananya and Odumasi to present their candidates to contest the Kodua and Okyere Stool.
Between November 5 and 8, 2013 seven candidates who had duly been screened by their families were presented to the queen mother for consideration.
On Tuesday November 26, 2013, Nana Serwah Amponsah convened a meeting of heads of families and informed them of her selection in the persons of then Dr. Yaw Sarfo Asante and subsequently presented him to the Gyasehene.
On December 9, 2013 the nominee was accordingly presented to the kingmakers, namely the Krontihene, Akwamuhene and Bodomasehene at the residence of the Krontihene in the presence of the Gyasehene and the Queen mother.
None of the kingmakers present objected to the nomination of the nominee and gave him the nod. The Asanteman Council thus accepted the candidature of Dr. Sarfo in the presence of the three kingmakers who vetted and confirmed the nomination of Dr. Sarfo for installation. He has sworn the oath of Allegiance to Asantehene on November 3, 2014. The Kumawumanhene has since been gazette.
If due process in the nomination and installation were followed as explained above, I don't see where the allegation of intimidation on the part of the Asantehene and bias arise. From the above, it is evident that the nomination and enstoolment processes had been fair and just.
There is no way the allegation of the sale of Kumawu Stool lands being sold to some Norwegian investors could be substantiated. The onus now lies with the accusers to prove the Queen mother's complicity in doling out a share of the alleged transaction to Manhyia.
The instant case regarding African Plantation for Sustainable Development (APSD) and Otumfuo as having leased 50 square miles of Kumawu Stool land to foreign investors as narrated by the ex-Aduanahene and his colleagues is very shallow and without proof.
I cannot comment on this without more and better particulars being provided. The trip to Norway a few years back by Otumfuo was undertaken at the invitation of the Norwegian African Business Association in response to negotiation for business as well as investments for the country.
If the ex-Aduanahene and his destooled colleagues assume that Mr. Erling Loventzen of APSD is connected to Norwegian monarchy by marriage then I personally see this as positive for co-operation of the Norwegian monarchy and the Kumawuman Paramountcy in a good mutual agreement for the development of Kumawu Traditional area in the use of its natural resources. In fact, Kumawuman has the intellectuals who will negotiate well in the interest of the Kumawu State.
Assuming without admitting that the Norwegians intend to invest in Kumawu Stool lands would that Not be prudent than one person acquiring a vast land of Kumawu Stool Lands free of charge ?
The fact remains that Asantehene is the Overlord of Asante Kingdom and presides over the Asanteman Council of which Kumawu is an integral part. Kumawu is one of the five prominent states including Kwaman (Kumasi), Mampong, Essumeja and Juaben in the Ashanti Kingdom which came together to form a Union (Amantuo Num) to accept the Golden Stool as a symbol of Unity and to swear the Oath of Allegiance to Opemsuo Osei Tutu I, the Asantehene.
How does one expect the Asantehene to stay clear of Kumawu as the so-called concerned citizens would want him (Otumfuo) to back off from Kumawu?
As custom demands, all Kumawumanhene have always sworn the oath to the Asantehene at Manhyia Palace and if that is what is seen as meddling or manipulating the process of installation, so be it.
From all indications Otumfuo has been just and fair in the Kumawu issue and allowed it to run its natural course.
I am yet to come across any evidence of bribery and corruption against the new Omanhene.
In conclusion, I deny al allegations as far as the Kumawuman Citizens Living Abroad is concerned.
I am wondering if the accusers per Kumawuman Citizens Living Abroad are true Asantes. If they are, they should learn to respect the authority of Asantehene and not denigrate his image. The Asantehene is the overlord of Asante nation and by the powers vested in him per the Asante Confederation he is supreme. Otumfuo's power is derived from the formation of Ashanti Confederacy.
I am optimistic that it would not be long that these faceless and selfish agitators living behind the media and sowing seeds of disunity would be exposed or tripped naked.
The truth is that these faceless agents thought they could forever capitalize on the absence of a chief to enrich themselves at the expense of resources meant for the general development of the area and the people.
Kumawu needs the co-operation of its citizenry to develop. The public must therefore disabuse their minds of alleged insecurity and falsehoods being peddled about the area.
Kumawu is peaceful and ready to take off development wise but with the support and cooperation of all.
