Tepahene Denies "Abolishing" Asante Kotoko Association

Washington, DC -- Nana Adusei Atwenewa Ampem, Omanhene of Tepa Traditional Area has called leaders of the Asante Kotoko Association of the Washington, DC, Metropolitan Area (AKA), to deny that he told a group of disaffected former members of the AKA, and members of the Asanteman Association of Washington, DC; (an offshoot of AKA since 1989), that he had abolished the Asante Kotoko Association.

In separate telephone conversations with the leadership of AKA, Nana Adusei Atwenewa Ampem, who is currently in New York City, further stated that he had ‘no authority' to abolish the Asante Kotoko Association. He said as a traditional ruler, he rather advised the group that Asantes in the Washington area, and indeed, in the diaspora must work together for the development of Asanteman, pursuant to the vision of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene.

The Omanhene of Tepa made his views clear in separate telephone calls to Mr. Yaw Adu Nkrumah, the president of AKA; Nana Osei Adu Boahen, first president of AKA, and Chairman of the AKA Council of Elders; and Nana Adu Gyamfi Kumanin, a former president of AKA, and Sompahene of Nsuta Traditional Area in Asante, Ghana.

It will be recalled that on Sunday, June 1st, Nana Adusei Atwenewa Ampem traveled from New York City to Washington, DC, to try and settle a leadership dispute regarding who is the true ‘Asantemanhene' of Washington, DC. Nana's trip was warranted by a reported commotion involving two individuals (one supported by Asanteman Association; and the other by a newly-formed association), and their respective entourage in New York City, where the Omanhene of Tepa had presided over the "enstoolment of the Asantemanhene of New York". Each individual wanted to be recognized and seated as the true "Asantemanhene of Washington"!

Since the Asante Kotoko Association of Washington, DC, which also happens to be the oldest of the Asante-wide associations in North America does not confer the title of "Chief" on its leader, and does not support the so-called chieftaincy system among Ghanaian ethnic groups in general and Asantes in particular in North America, the AKA does not attend, nor participate in such ‘enstoolment' ceremonies in North America. None of the leaders of the AKA, nor any of its members in good standing was therefore invited to the meeting attended by the Tepahene to address a chieftaincy dispute in Washington, DC.

However, that meeting was held at a location which had earlier been secured to hold a meeting to discuss the Golden Holding Development Company (GDHC), set up by the Asantehene to raise investment capital for development in Asanteman. The GDHC meeting was later addressed by Dr. Kwame Donkor Fordwor, former president of the African Development Bank, who had arrived from Ghana specifically for such meetings in the USA.

When the meeting addressed by the Tepahene ended, some of the people who emerged began telling individuals arriving for the GDHC meeting in Twi that "Tepahene agu Asante Kotoko"; and that the Tepahene had said the name Asante Kotoko could not be used by AKA.

Naturally, this infuriated the GDHC meeting attendees, most of whom were members of the Asante Kotoko Association. One of their number, Dr. Kofi Ellison (who serves on the steering committee of GDHC in the USA, and also serves as secretary of AKA), when told of the abolition of the AKA, cornered a Chief who had accompanied the Tepahene to DC, and in the presence of the said Nana Adu Gyamfi Kumanin, told the Chief with due deference and reverence, that the ongoing chant being heard in the hall, that Nana Tepahene has abolished AKA ‘will never succeed, never'!

The brave denials of AKA members notwithstanding, the people who attended the meeting with Tepahene continued to announce with glee that "Tepahene agu Asante Kotoko". These individuals continued their announcement of the abolition of the AKA the following Monday, June 2nd at Taxi stands; Ghanaian restaurants; and other areas where Ghanaians usually congregate in the Washington area.

On Tuesday June 3rd, a report of the meeting presided over by the Tepahene in DC, was posted on the ghanaweb.com Internet website at this link: HERE

Hence, Nana Adusei Atwenewa Ampem was constrained to get in contact with the leadership of AKA, in order to set the record straight, because as he put it, he is aware of the ‘good deeds' that AKA has done over the years.

Nana Tepahene has been advised of the decision to publish the gist of our telephone conversation, in order to counter the claims being perpetrated in his name. As president of AKA therefore, I wish to make it known to the general public regarding what the Tepahene told us in telephone conversation, and to assure our members and supporters that the Asante Kotoko Association of Washington, DC, Metropolitan Area; is ALIVE and PROSPERING.

In fact, our 21st anniversary Dance/Fundraiser/Cultural Show will come on as scheduled [ad removed]. The former Marriot Band of Ghana, also known as Ozimzi will entertain the crowd.

The Asante Kotoko Association has invited Nana Adusei Atwenewa Ampem to this dance/fundraiser; and should Nana attend the dance/fundraiser, he will be accorded all due reverence and panoply of culture befitting his office and Asante custom.

(Sgd)
Yaw Adu Nkrumah, CPA
President Asante Kotoko Association of Washington Metro Area.