DANGMES CONDEMN LATEST MOVIE ENTITLED “OKOMFO ANOKYE”, SET THE RECORDS STRAIGHT.
15th May 2013; Odumase Krobo: The attention of the leadership of Klo Hengme; A Krobo youth and advocacy group, has been drawn to a new movie which has been released onto the movie market entitled 'Okomfo Anokye' which seeks to denigrate the image of the Dangme tribes of Ghana. The movie, has shamefully portrayed Dangme women as mere sex objects whose very lives depend on the male sex organ. This movie also purports that Dangmeland and its people including our future generations have been cursed by Okomfo Anokye to 'forever be whores'.
The movie, since its release onto the movie market some few weeks ago, has incurred the anger of the Chiefs and people of the entire Dangmeland with the Konor of Manya-Krobo; Nene Sakite II, describing it as 'as a clear attempt to assassinate the image of the Krobo [Dangme] woman'. The movie, produced by 'Paul Gee' productions and featured mainly top 'Kumawood' actors/actresses, has not only succeeded in denigrating and corroding the image of the Dangme, but also has the potency to ignite inter-ethnic clashes and violence judging from where this movie was produced. Unfortunately, this movie which has created an erroneous impression that Okomfo Anokye cursed Krobo (Dangme) women is currently enjoying massive commercial advertisement on some state television networks and radio stations across the country.
The leadership of Klo Hengme has therefore condemned the said movie, and considered it as unfortunate, and one which has the potency to disturb the peace and tranquility which the country is currently enjoying. Whilst, we are preparing to use legal means to get our name cleared from the dent which this movie has given us, we will like to use this opportunity to set the records straight about that erroneous impression that Okomfo Anokye has cursed Krobo (or Dangme) women.
It is important to note that, Okomfo Anokye has never cursed Krobo (or Dangme) women, and can never do so. The God we serve is always for us and no man can be against us. By the middle part of the 17th century that the said Okomfo Anokye was born at Awukugua-Akwapim up to the late 18th century that he died, the Krobos and also including Osudoku, and several of the Dangme tribes were restricted to their mountain settlements. Their restrictions to the mountain settlement were due to the frequent wars and slave raiding activities which were very rampant during those days. At that time also, relations between the Krobos and their neighbouring Akwapim state were very tensed due to the activities of King Addo Dankwa of Akwapim (1811-1835) who was always declaring wars on the Krobos. So though Dangmeland and especially Krobos were closer with the Akwapim people in terms of proximity, there had never been any contact with these two neighbouring states except during wars and clashes.
There is therefore no point in time that Krobo women ever came in contacts or whatsoever with the said Okomfo Anokye to curse them. It is also worthy to note that the said Okomfo Anokye migrated to Ashantiland by the latter part of the 17th century and this had further widened the distance between Krobo (and Dangme) women who were still restricted to the mountain settlements and Okomfo Anokye. It therefore has to be on record that the said Okomfo Anokye has never cursed Krobo (or the Dangme) women, and such statements are only a deliberate attempt to mar the hard earned reputation of the Krobo (and Dangme) woman.
We will also like to use this opportunity to appeal to movie producers to adequately embark on scientific researches before coming out with movies such as these, and such movies thoroughly screened by the film Certification Board before they are released onto the movie market, and not to be solely driven by their selfish parochial interest and monetary gain. Another important appeal will also go all the media houses including Ghana Television, TV3 to as a matter of urgency, cease all commercial adverts on the said movie. The continuous advertisement of the movie is inciting general unrest and anxiety among the entire Dangme citizenry, a phenomenon which can easily spark off inter-ethnic clashes, the outcome which will be very detrimental to our dear Nation.
For More Information, Contact
Eric Tamatey-Sikatse
(Director of Operations and Research)
Mobile: 0243 804684
Isaac Otu Tamatey
(Director Management and Planing)
Mobile: 0244 036651
CC:
Dangme Traditional Councils
Yo Kama (Women of Virtue)
All Media Houses
All Dangme Youth group