The Asantehene, Ato Kwamina Dadzie and Ethnocentrism.

I couldn't help but to shrug my shoulders in utter disbelief when I heard that some misguided Asantes are threatening to kill Ato Kwamina Dadzie, claiming that, he had insulted their chief. Was I surprised by this latest development? Absolutely not.

A few years ago, the same “fatwa” was issued against Kwasi Pratt, Raymond Acheer and others for trying to establish a link between the Asantehene and a cocaine scandal in this country.

It is regrettable that after many years of formal education, people you expect to know better are by their actions demonstrating an inhuman attitude.

Today because of tribalism and over inflated egos, we tend to believe that our kith and kin can do no wrongs.

In my opinion, the most brilliant minds among us hardly display perceptiveness. I am troubled by our continual obsession with ethnocentrism.

I am not a fan of this “ethnic business”. I detest the filth in our nation's tribal biases.

However, it is worth my time to engage nomadic minds who have abandoned our nations many problems and make unsolicited careers out of perverted ethnocentrism.

For starters, the Asantehene made a huge mistake in not using the right rhetoric. I found it repugnant, irritating and deeply insulting that, the Asantehene could descend so low into the gutter by his unguarded and infantile loose talk. I want to stick my neck out to say that, Otumfuor goofed badly and he must bow down his head in remorseless shame.

The fact that people respect you shouldn't be a yardstick for irresponsible comments.

Otumfuor should have known that he is not an ordinary person; therefore he shouldn't have made such an ordinary statement of kidnapping another chief.

What the heck was the Asantehene thinking when he threatened to kidnapped another chief and daring state institutions to come and face him at Manhyia Palace?

Any threat made by one person to another is against the laws, irrespective of the personalities. Thus no individual has the right to threaten another with abduction, whether the individual involved are chiefs or street beggers.

Ato Kwamina Dadzie was right to call Otumfuor to order. We need to put our leaders right when they are misleading us. Again, Ato was spot on when he suggested that Otumfuor's threat to kidnap the chief of Techiman was irresponsible.

Those who are calling for Ato's head are themselves product of irresponsibility and cannot do better than what they are defending. It is absolutely, hogwash for people to threaten others for expressing their views. It is old-fashion and unlawful.

To hell with those who think their chiefs can do no wrong?

Ato Kwamina has in the past written some harsh things about Kufuor, Rawlings and Mills, none of them nor their supporters have ever threatened to kill him.

Is the Asantehene above all others?
All those Asante bigots who are threatening and insisting that Ato should apologise can do their worst for all we care. They should be made to understand that, there are no kings, kingdoms or states in Ghana. The only state here is the republic of Ghana.

For sometime now, we have seen some traditional rulers describing their ethnic groups as “kingdoms” or “state”. Others are also calling themselves “kings” because they see the title of “chief” as not glorifying enough.

Some people think being a chief is more powerful title than the constitution. We cannot elevate one tribe above Ghana.

The Asantehene's petty parochial interest cannot override the greater interest of the nation.

Most Asantes do not have the confidence and the courage to denounce such unguarded pronouncements by Otumfuor. Who is Otumfuor or any other chief after all that cannot be criticized or condemned?

When one tribe begins to see themselves as better than others, or the entire country, that's what causes civil strife.

The Asantehene erred by making a misguided statement. I am therefore baffled as to why his subjects cannot accept this basic fact.

When Togbui Afede came under attack recently from sections of the media for making some comments against President Kufuor, I didn't hear anybody issue a threat.

Does it mean that, Togbui Afede is not revered by his subjects?

Sometimes I get worried when I see Asantes behaves as gods of the land.

The Asantehene made a wrong call and we must condemn him or any other person who makes such reckless remarks. Our traditional rulers are fallible and that makes them human. They are not above the law.

Ghanaians should condemn any irresponsible comments from Okyehene, the Omahene, the Ya-Na, the Agbogbomefia, The Nii La and any other chief irrespective of their status.

The Asantehene brought this on himself and should eat the humble pie by calling for cease fire. There are many ways of killing a cat. The Asantehene should have use a more decent and wise approach to this issue. Two wrongs do not make a right.

I challenge Otumfuor to draw the visible line between what he is a traditional ruler and that of a partisan politician that his pronouncement and public posture make him.

Those anonymous threats against Ato are just empty threats which can only come from loose cannons. If indeed those faceless bigots are worth their sort, they should mobilize themselves and go to Joy Fm ad finish Ato there or forever hold their peace.

Freedom of expression is an inviolable right. We must learn to agree to disagree with decorum and tolerance. That is the beauty of democracy.

It is necessary, that Ghanaians de-link themselves from these tribal biases, unnecessary vituperation generated through ethnic interest.

Those threatening to kill Ato should resort to the law courts if they feel their chief has been undeservedly defamed.

That is the surrest way through which civilized people settle controversies, disagreements, (both real and perceived) as well as conflicts.

We should move away from baleful engagements and focus on how we can make this country better place.

It is about time we put our self-centredness and hypocrisy aside so we can build a better Ghana. Let's call a SPADE A SPADE.

Emmanuel Dela Coffie
The Writer is Student Journalist. He welcom your comments via [email protected] / www.delacoffie.wordpress.com