Re: When 72 Sheep Bleat at the Ofori Panin Palace...

I was taken aback when I read an article by one Dr.Michael J. K. Bokor with the above title on ghanaweb.com(http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=224338) a few moments after the Okyeman Council had imposed a fine on Odehyee Agyei Boateng, an Asona royal who had apparently accused the Okyenhene of involving himself in the galamsey business that has engulfed Akyem Abuakwa and also remains an enigma in the country at large. Perhaps this rejoinder is long overdue because I thought it wise to allow the traditional council to react to the rubbish published by this co called Dr.Bokor but since it’s is not forthcoming, as a proud citizen of Apinamang in the Kwaebibirem District of Akyem Abuakwa, I wish to correct the erroneous impression as it were created by  Dr.Bokor on the whole institution of chieftaincy and the judgement passed by the Okyeman Council.

First of all, if Dr.Bokor had probably not permanently damaged his head with his PHD degree and had done a little due diligence and a little analyses on the whole matter and the subsequent judgement by the Okyeman council, he would have rather praised the council for proving to the doubting Thomases that indeed the institution of chieftaincy is still alive in the midst of western modernisation. What should be noted here is that the accuser, Odehyee Agyei Boateng could have resorted to the police to make his complaints for onward judgement by a court of competent jurisdiction but decided to invoke the greatest of oath of Okyeman (Ntamkesie) to make his case, this action in itself tells it all the accusers’ belief and confidence in the laws and customs of Okyeman against the constitutional democratic system of governance that Dr.Bokor talks about in his empty effusive piece. It should however be understood that the invocation of the Okyeman greatest Oath called for the intervention of the Okyeman council. Let Dr Bokor tell us who could have been the best arbiter in this case, the courts or the traditional council.

Dr.Bokor goes further to rubbish the whole chieftaincy institution because he thinks the institution is saddled with a lot of challenges. Maybe he has forgotten the problems also associated with democracy and modernisation he glorifies so much, should we simply abolish democracy because it has its own concomitant problems? In comparing the institution of chieftaincy to democracy as to which one of them has a lot of problems, we could go on and on to mention many countries in turmoil because of democracy. How many chiefdoms or kingdoms over the world are in chaos because of chieftaincy or better still monarchy? Let us appreciate the institution of chieftaincy and its associated benefits. At least in Ghana we can mention so many chiefs/Kings including the Okyenhenes, Asantehenes among others both present and past who have in their own small way contributed to the development of the country. In fact the road to independence and the democracy that we speak of as an impeccable institution was championed by the same chiefs that people are calling for their heads today. If there are problems with our chieftaincy institution let us find ways of solving them but not trumpeting for its proscription.

In trying to get modern, let us uphold our valuable institutions including chieftaincy which is an embodiment of our culture, maybe where Dr.Bokor hails from chiefs are not respected or better still not regarded that is why he has the guts to insult no less a person than his majesty, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin and his able Okyeman council as well as the entire chieftaincy institution with impunity. Even the so called advanced countries that we copy blindly had not abolished their chieftaincy and monarchy institutions but have rather strengthen them even as they had embraced democracy, so why should we abolish such an important part of our entire human existence because a few people like Dr.Bokor who thrive on their figment opines that it is outdated and has outlived its usefulness. One would appreciate our chiefs better when one visits the remotest parts of our country; they are the pillars for development and also have the herculean task of maintaining law and order. Let us not be too quick to judge without due diligence. Dr.Bokor you goofed big time on this one! Long live chieftaincy!

Come Again-Aggrieved Members of Asona Royal Family of Kyebi

I was very much ashamed when I heard on radio that some disgruntled members of the Asona Royal family of Kyebi had ostensibly accused the occupant of the much revered Ofori Panin Stool, Amoatia Ofori Panin of being behind the bedevilling activities of galamsey that has engulfed the whole Akyem Abuakwa kingdom.

It should however be well noted that the quarters these accusations  came from does not surprise anybody at all since these aggrieved Asona members had being in constant opposition to the occupancy of Amoatia Ofori Panin on the Okyeman highest stool from  day one and would do anything to denigrate the Okyenhene’s hard won reputation both locally and internationally. Apparently, the people of Akyem Abuakwa as well as Asona Royal members all over Ghana are not perturbed about these unsubstantiated allegations and treat these allegations with the highest contempt it deserves, these people(aggrieved Asona royals) have only taken advantage of these galamsey issues to drive home their own interest in the Ofori Panin stool.

Perhaps these aggrieved  Asona royals needs to be reminded  of what the office of the Okyenhene stands for and what it means to chieftaincy in the Akan system and Ghana as whole and therefore must be very circumspect in their utterances; the Okyenhene has over 900 chiefs directly under him in Okyeman, the Okuapehene’s stool is also a subordinate stool of the Okyenhene,he is also the head of the Asona clan (Asona Piesie),  which is the largest clan among the Akans and hence all members of the Asona clan including chiefs whether in Asante, Kwahu, Akuapem ,etc  owe him that respect such that on an Okyenhene’s burial and funeral  or any other important occasion they all converge at Kyebi to perform certain rites demanded by custom. Above all these, in Ghana, there is no doubt about the Okyenhene’s importance as long as chieftaincy is concerned; indeed, he is one of the two most important traditional figures in the country.

Now to the issues of galamsey, everybody in Ghana knows the efforts being made by Osagyefuo to curb this menace in Akyem Abuakwa and even beyond and it would therefore be very ridiculous for anybody to point accusing fingers at him as the same person behind all these galamsey activities. The bitter truth is that since independence ownership of mineral resources changed hands from traditional authorities to the government. In other words, mineral resources all over Ghana are vested in the President and therefore the government and not any traditional authority, hence it would be very difficult to blame a traditional head of not doing anything about galamsey activities at his backyard, after all what can the Okyenhene do when the government fails to complement his efforts by calling the illegal miners to order.

 Let us appreciate what the Okyenhene has been doing for Akyem Abuakwa and Ghana as whole since his enstoolment and stop being petty. After all, galamsey is not only limited to Okyeman, it has engulfed the whole country, how many chiefs have even condemned this act let alone setup a taskforce to help curb the menace associated with these galamsey activities. I think what these aggrieved Asona royals should be doing is to encourage and offer the necessary support to the Okyenhene to champion his environmental course and not these unwarranted accusations just because one of them wants to become the Okyenhene and therefore would do anything to mar the reputation of Amoatia Ofori Panin. Akyem Abuakwa and all other members of the Asona clan however knows Nana Amoatia Ofori Panin would never descend so low to endorse galamsey.

I would also humbly call on Nana Okyenhene to use his God given wisdom to resolve all pending issues between him and the other aggrieved Asona members before they take him to the gutters. It does not matter whether it is only one person or few members who are championing this disgraceful course, let us all remember that reputation and credibility lost can be regained but not with equal measure as lost. Dialogue is the key to resolving issues and not the radio or newspapers, Nana, please sit down with them to end all these differences. No matter what each individual’s interest and motive may be, let us have respect for authority and also consider the office of the Okyenhene first irrespective of the occupant.

“ODWIRATUO” FESTIVAL-HERALDING A NEW UNITED AND PROGRESSIVE OKYEMAN

I was filled with  much elation when I learnt about the launching of the Odwiratuo festival of Akyem Abuakwa slated to take place  from the 10th-18th of December,2011.On one part I  was very happy because in May this year, I wrote an article dubbed “Open letter on festivals to the Okyeman Traditional Council”,  where I urged the council to revive the traditional festivals of Okyeman and more so involve the ordinary citizens of Akyem Abuakwa and beyond to be part of such festivals with the avowed aim of fostering development in Okyeman through culture and tourism. Though I cannot claim responsibility for this positive development, I feel proud to be associated with it all the same because I wrote an article on this early on and what is more, this would be the first time I would be attending a traditional festival.

For the second part, am very happy because this would be the first time under the reign of Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin that this festival is being marked. In fact the last time this festival took place was around 1992 during Okyenhene Osagyefuo Kuntunkunuku’s reign on the most revered Ofori Panin stool, interestingly, that particular one had the then president Jerry John Rawlings and his Zimbabwean counterpart Robert Mugabe attending, indeed, such was the pomp and pageantry associated with it.

From the little research i did on this “Odwiratuo” festival over the internet, “Odwira” as we may already know in Okyeman, is a weeklong celebration of the Ofori-Panin stool and a religious purification of gods, stools and stool occupants all over Okyeman. “Dwira” means to cleanse or purify,”tuo” means firing of guns, so the addition of “tuo” to “Odwira” makes Odwiratuo. Unlike Odwira which is held annually with less emphasis on pomp and pageantry, Odwiratuo is held around either December or January between every three to five years ( as decided by the Okyeman council) and every Chief, sub-chief and able bodied citizen of Akyem Abuakwa whether in the kingdom, outside the kingdom in Ghana or even in the Diaspora is expected to take part in the festival. Again, traditional heads of all settlers on Akyem Abuakwa originally owned lands are all expected to be part. In other words, it is a call of duty to every “Okyeni” as it were to serve the kingdom by partaking in this very rich and colourful celebration which the progress of Okyeman for the benefit of her citizens as well as the country at large assumes centre stage. Apparently, the theme for this year’s celebration connotes unity and development as it is boldly written in a typical Akyem twi;  “SUSUBIRIBI, OKYEMAN NKABOM NE NKOSUO”. Let us all make it a point to be in Kyebi  to be part of the weeklong spectacle  at least one of the  days from  the 10th to 18th where this is expected to take place.

Though I do not have the details of this year’s activities, here is a brief general description of what is expected to take place during the weeklong celebration. The Saturday before the Odwira Sunday is the “Dapada”, where the Okyenhene expected to sit on the small dais in the public square and receive Chiefs from Okyeman’s far flung provinces. The next day sunday is the “Akwasidae” and “Odwira” day.A little description of this day’s activities are as follows; Drumming begins at dawn. The Okyenhemma is expected to organize Adowa performers to display their talents in the public square. The Amantuommiensa (Traditional royal guards of the occupant of the Ofori Panin Stool) would play their drums and the Okyenhene and a small retinue will join them on foot to sing and walk the streets of Kyebi, Okyeman’s traditional capital. During the walk, the Okyenhene plays one of the 3 Asafo pranpran drums. Next, he entertains the Amantuommiensa in the Ofori Panin Fie. Then the Okyenhene sits in state with a display of gold, gold cloths and with umbrellas and state regalia cast in gold. The King wears full state dress including the” Meya Kye” and the “Sika Mpaboakesie”. He appears in the public square in a gorgeous palanquin decorated in silk and velvet cloth. On his left shoulder he carries the Ohum gun and in his right hand, he holds the Bosomtwe Sceptre. The Okyenhene sits in state and the drums, horns, singers and dancers welcome his chiefs, people and guests. The chiefs swear their allegiance to the King.

Other activities for the weeklong programme include the ceremonies at the stool house where the Okyenhene together with the Okuapehene (occupant of the Ofori kuma stool, subordinate stool to the Ofori Panin stool) or his representatives as well as the ammantuomiensa, the abontendomhene, the divisional chiefs among others are expected to do some traditional sacrifices and rituals, there would also be the firing of the ohum gun by the Okyenhene among a host of others. Indeed what an exciting time to be an “Okyeni”, an Akan and a Ghanaian for that matter during the weeklong celebration of this special festival. I would like to urge all Akyems, lovers of Ghanaian cultures and traditions to be part of this historic festival as this is not just about the Okyenhene or Kyebi alone, it is about all of us, so let’s all do our bit to make it a successful event, we should not wait for an Okyenhene’s death before we turn up in our thousands to display our rich culture and traditions to mourn him, the time is now. Let us come together to deliberate on how to develop our ancient but revered kingdom. Let us help create public awareness on this historic event in our own small way, on a lighter note am doing this myself by making the logo of this festival my laptop wall background so that every user of  my laptop would see it. Let us all embrace Odwiratuo!

Politics of insults, It’s time to walk the talk Mr. President

Recent revelations from whistle blower website, wikileaks has brought insults in our politics to its crescendo amidst fierce competition to win the crown of the most insulting political party among NDC and the NPP, the two major political parties in the country.

This hypocrisy of the presidency where behind the scenes they are  heavily involved in muddying the waters in the upstream of the river only to appear on a public platform, the downstream to invariably condemn the politics of insults is highly unacceptable and does not speak well of them as leaders. If the president and his vice are really concerned about this insults issue that has as gradually carved a niche in our still infant democracy as they would want us to believe, then it is about time they walked the talk by taking proactive measures to deal with it even if it has to go the extent of sacking some government appointees.

Again it is not enough for the so called neutral commentators, civil society groups, religious  political leaders, chiefs among others to condemn politics of insults vaguely without pinpointing the main actors involved, for some of us, this vague caution statement only goes to the wind. If we are really serious as a nation about this issue then we need to move away from our current position where vague pronouncement is the order of the day to a more explicit position where we would have to take the bull by the horn and condemn personalities from both the political divide who indulge in these acts directly.

On the other hand, the media has a role to play if we are to halt these insults. From a neutral point of view I think newspapers whose mission statement is to lead a smear campaign against their political opponents, infact some of them whose total circulation does not add up to even a thousand such as the Informer, the Lens, and the Enquirer among others should not be reviewed on any media platform. Again political discussion in the media should be devoid of insults, that is to say political activists should not be given the media platform to spew insults on their political opponents and political programme hosts should also desist from selecting topics that has the tendency of brewing tension and subsequent insults.

Developments lately had drawn the thin line between responsible media practice and irresponsible media practice, while some responsible media houses discuss issues about bread and butter, and  the very pertinent developmental problems affecting our wellbeing, others  obviously have had a bumper harvest or better still a field day with the wikileaks diplomatic leaked cables and for them nothing matters anymore except somebody’s  supposedly alleged affliction of throat cancer or wee smoking habits.

  

I think as a country we should not hesitate to crack the whip on those nation wreckers whose job description from their pay masters is to lead the bandwagon for insults and smear campaigns against their political opponents if not Kenya, Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Liberia etc are closer to us than we think.

Re: Naming University of Ghana after J.B.Danquah

The debate of finding a befitting monument to christen after J.B.Danquah, one of Ghana’s founding fathers still rages on with no end in sight. However, in as much as I would agree with the numerous clarion calls for immortalizing the doyen of Ghanaian Politics, I do not necessarily agree to the calls by Dr. Okoampah Ahoofe for the University of Ghana to be renamed after J.B Danquah considering the nature of our body politic in the country. In my view attempts to name the University of Ghana after the doyen of Ghana Politics has a tendency of spewing tribal and political tensions in the country especially in an era where the national politics of our country has polarized its citizens along political and tribal lines not oblivious of what J.B. Danquah had stood for in terms of political ideologies and those who represent the Ideals of J.B.Danquah today. It would only be hypocritical on our part to brush of this salient point under the carpet as we have in most cases failed to take the bull by the horn in analyzing and discussing issues of national interest as a country and people.

I would rather a new national institution or better still a yet to be christened befitting monument be named after Danquah. This can be any of the new interchanges currently under construction in the national capital, Kumasi or even the one in Suhum or better still the government can establish a new university altogether in the Eastern Region and christen it J.B.Danquah University etc. I would also encourage that independent bodies be established to overseer matters concerning honouring our national heroes so as to tone down the political and tribal sentiments that had always associated naming monuments after deserving national heroes.

On a lighter note, I was really much disappointed when I read the comments associated with Okoampah Kwame Ahoofe’s article which appeared on ghanaweb on this same issue. The question being asked is this: does J.B.Danquah’s political opposition to Kwame Nkrumah necessarily make him a traitor? Is that to suggest that our opposition leaders to various governments over the years, some of who have even become presidents be classified as traitors simply because they were/are opposed to government of the day? I think that is an unfair judgment, very apologetic and a non starter on the debate of whether J.B.Danquah should be named after the University of Ghana or not.

Beyond J.B.Danquah, I think there are a host of other national heroes who must also be immortalized for their immense sacrifices and contributions to the development of the country. Amongst them is William Ofori Atta another member of the ‘big six’, whose centenary celebration is currently ongoing under the distinguished patronage of the Okyenhene, our former presidents, Dr.Kwegyir Aggrey, Arku Korsah among others. I think as a nation, people who had over the years sacrificed or contributed immensely towards our development must be honoured to encourage selflessness and patriotism amongst our citizenry.