Otumfuo will not apologise

“A snake bites out of desperation”-An Akan proverb

WELL-MEANING, honest and sincere Ghanaians have genuinely felt that OtumfuoOsei Tutu II, Asantehene, could have stated his concern over the Tuobodom-Techiman affair differently.

Mr. Abdul MalikKwekuBaako, whom I have had occasion to describe as literally, politically, intellectually, and journalistically big eyed, falls into that category.

On the other hand, there are those who have seen in that statement a rare, never-to-be-missed golden opportunity to pour venomous abuse, not only on the head of the Asantehene, but also on all Ashantis.

The deep-seated hatred which some people bear towards Ashantis, and their Asantehene, has come to the fore with extreme savagery.

I cannot repeat the words. In fact, before even thinking of this piece, I prayed fervently to God to grant me restraint, so that I do not descend into the gutter with the others, and touch pitch, and consequently, get defiled.

What is the crime of the Asantehene for which some people feel they should throw away all decorum and good manners, and carve him up?

Nana AsareBaffour II is the Omanhene (Paramount Chief) of Tuobodom in the BrongAhafo Region. He serves the Golden Stool of Asanteman.

The report states that on March 5, 2010, some persons purported to be the bodyguards of Nana Techimanhene, kidnapped him at Wenchi, also in the BrongAhafo Region, and forcibly took him to the palace of the Techimanhene.

The reports states further that at the palace of the Techimanhene, the Tuobodom chief was stripped naked, severely assaulted, and humiliated in unimaginable ways, even as he was threatened with death, if he did not renounce his allegiance to the Golden Stool.

There are at least two versions as to how the Tuobodomhene eventually got into the hands of the police. One version has it that after the assault, he was taken to the Techiman Police Station.

The other version has it that it was rather the police, who, acting on a hint, rushed to the palace and took the Tuobodomhene, after initial resistance from the Techiman palace.

For sometime, the news reports sanitized what supposedly went on at the palace, by simply stating that the purported bodyguards seized the Tuobodom chief at Wenchi, and handed him over to the police. There was no further mention of the reported assault, humiliation, and death threats.

Five days later, the Tuobodomhene was charged with abetment of crime and attempted murder, and arraigned before a Sunyani Magistrate Court. The news report states that the court granted him bail in the sum of GH¢10,000, and ordered him to reappear at the court on March 16, 2010. His Secretary, Mr. Samuel AgyeiBoahene, was also bailed under the same conditions.

What was the basis for the charge? It is reported that on October 7, 2008, the Techimanhene and his retinue were fired at when he went to Tuobodom for a Yam Festival.

The report goes on to state that the Techimanhene made a report to the police. Either the police failed to carry out an investigation, or investigations were still going on up to the time the Tuobodomhene was kidnapped and taken to the palace of the Techimanhene.

When the Tuobodomhene was freed on bail, he came down to the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi to narrate what, according to him, was done to him at the palace of the Techimanhene.

On hearing the story, and seeing the tell-tale evidence of assault, the Asantehene saw what had happened to the Tuobodomhene as a personal affront to him, and the humiliation of Asanteman.

It was then that he called on the Government to demonstrate firmly that there was law and order in the country otherwise he would also kidnap the Techimanhene, if he should ever set foot in Kumasi.

It was not a blanket statement, but one with a condition attached to it. Indeed, far from creating fear and alarm, the statement sought to get action from the Government, so that conflict with dire consequences would not break out between Asanteman and Techiman. And what happened?

Brigadier-General Joseph Nunoo-Mensah (rtd), the National Adviser, confessed that until he heard the statement by Otumfuo, and got further information after he and a Government delegation had visited the Manhyia Palace, he had no idea about the seriousness of the matter. According to him, those in charge of local security had told him that it was not a matter of any magnitude. Thus Otumfuo did a great service for peace in Ghana.

It is worth noting that after the Nunoo-Mensah-led delegation to Manhyia Palace and Techiman, Vice President John Mahama has seen it fit to call on Otumfuo, after attending the enskinment of the King of Gonja, the Yagbonwura.

If Otumfuo had not spoken, the reported assault, humiliation, and threat of death of the Tuobodomhene would have been hidden under the charge of abetment of crime and attempted murder.

How then, can any sensible person ask Otumfuo to apologise? How can any well-informed person dare suggest that Otumfuo should be arrested for causing fear and alarm?

The case of Tuobodom, like the cases of other towns in the BrongAhafo Region, calls for thorough investigations.

I hope that the state's own investigation team, the BrongAhafo Regional House of Chiefs, the National House of Chiefs, and the courts will ensure that the truth comes out, so that peace can prevail.

In the meantime, the anti-Ashanti and anti-Otumfuo campaign should cease. As for calling the Asantehene a King, who says that the title adds even a jot to the stature of the person who is the custodian of the Golden Stool?

You can call him a chief, or even a tribal headman, he is still Otumfuo, the Asantehene. No amount of ill-mannered insults can take away the centuries-old reverence for the Golden Stool, and whoever may be occupying the Manhyia Palace.

No matter how certain individuals or groups might hate Ashantis, and would love nothing better than to kill all of us in a pogrom, we have no intention of opting out of corporate Ghana.

We need others, just as others need us, to build a united country, prosperous, peaceful and happy.

However, let others know that there is a limit to what we can take by way of gratuitous insults.

We are not some primitive tribe that can be pushed over. Over the years, we have always believed that it takes “strangers” to build a nation.

We have welcomed others into our midst. Ever heard of MoshieZongo, Fante New Town, Anloga (mispronounced as Awunaga), Sawaba, and Aboabo, all in Kumasi?

Let there be no more insults.