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Opinions of Monday, 29 June 2015

Columnist: Adofo, Rockson

Why is Asantehene Determinedly Pursuing His Interests in the Kumawu Stool Dispute?

I am in complete disbelief to return from my temporary hibernation, although away from the media glare to conduct extra research into the Ghanaian chieftaincy institution in general, to find Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II more vigorously than never before pursuing his doubtful motives with regard to the ongoing Kumawu chieftaincy wrangling.

Since I unilaterally declared a ceasefire in one of my publications a few months ago, I have not been writing about Asantehene in relation to the Kumawu chieftaincy issues. I had hoped he would know better, after all the published researched revelations about his actual status within the entire Asanteman chieftaincy institution or the Asante Confederacy since its restoration in 1935 when the Asantehenes' powers were delimited by law. However, he found it a perfect opportunity to not only prop his position, but also, strengthen himself to unleash his callously selfishly exploitative plan on Kumawuman and her inhabitants. What an unbudgeable onslaught on the good, but suffering, people of Kumawuman, one may say?

I am now back in full swing with more information to take on anyone delusively, and same believing, that the mandate to exercise Asanteman overlordship is bestowed upon them by God or by statutory/traditional laws hence they can do whatever they like when they like, to commit crime, so to speak, with impunity.

I am very much aware of the open secret personal interests, selfish of course, as expressed by Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II in the Kumawu chieftaincy affairs. He cannot dispute this fact. He has to bear in mind that he has no prerogative to unreasonably meddle in Kumawu chieftaincy issues, let alone, impose a puppet on Kumawuman as their paramount chief. He had better go back to learn the history of the Union of Asante States very well. This must be learnt alongside the developments, thus, changes in traditions and customs with the introduction and implementation of regulations and laws intended to make the Ghanaian chieftaincy institution worthwhile.

I am really sorry, if not peeved, to see him obstinately arrogate to himself powers he has no title to. He has clearly abused his position and continues to do so if measured against the findings of my research into the Asante Chieftaincy institution. A lot has been said and written, more is on the way to come now that I have emerged from my customary cum political cocoon in which I found myself intentionally embedded.

There is no way that God will allow Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and his accomplices to rewrite the history of Kumawuman to suit their "create, loot and share" agenda. If he was serious, he could have already learnt a bitter lesson from his already committed deplorable acts that have brought about his media ridicule that he oftentimes moans about.

In my next publication, I shall ask him very tough questions all with intent to expose his fake ascribe to overlordship that he thinks empowers him to reap from where he has not sown. In the meantime, I entreat his advisors to advise him wisely. As far as his determined, but unnecessary, meddling in Kumawuman affairs goes, he will continue to have sleepless nights. God through me will ensure that he loses sleep over his actions, for that I can assure my readers.

Let the readers, my fans and enemies alike, know that they (people) can take me out of the village (Kumawu), but they cannot take the village (Kumawu) out of me. I love Kumawuman, the place of my birth, the place of my paternal ancestry hence will do whatever necessary it takes, to defend her interests against external aggressive exploitation by whomever, be they Asantehene, Asanteman Council or their conniving puppets and allies.

To Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, I say, look before you leap. Your undue involvement in this ongoing Kumawu chieftaincy dispute will surely become your Waterloo if you refused to advise yourself, and then pull out now, although half bruised already.

I always wonder who your advisors are. Do they read? Do they research into the Asante Confederacy, learning and noting down the relevant conventions and statutory regulations pertaining to the institution? I doubt it; else, they will not allow you to conduct yourself in most cases in a manner deemed by many a discerning, learned and ordinarily wise person, as irresponsible.

How do you see yourself vis-à-vis the voluminous evidence put out in the public domain as against your persistent uncompromising stand on the Kumawu chieftaincy dispute? If you are that shameless not to mind, then be it known to you what my former work colleague, Alf Wright, used to be told by his mum, "If you don't hear it, you will be made to feel it".

Alf said when he was growing, he was a truant. He refused to do the right things as would be ordered by the mum. If he continued not to heed to his mum's admonition, his mum would pinch him hard or hold his ear and twist it hard saying, if you don't hear it when I tell you, I will make you feel it - If you don't hear it, you will be made to feel it. This is "ASEM SEBE!" Would Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II please do the following for his homework? Why did President Nkrumah state that "Chiefs will run away and leave their sandals". When did he say it? Would he be justified to have said that if interpreted in terms of today's negative attitudes vividly in exhibition by our traditional leaders?

Stay tuned for more info on the Kumawu chieftaincy affairs that will make your mouth water.

Rockson Adofo