Adankrono chief visits Englewood

....Talks to L.A. Ainger eighth-graders

ENGLEWOOD, LA, USA -- Royalty visited Englewood Wednesday morning.

Chief Barima Sarpong Kumankuma II, ruler of Adankrono, a town of 5,000 in Ghana, Africa, sat with an L.A. Ainger Middle School eighth-grade history class and discussed his community's beliefs, politics and traditions.

The chief wore traditional African garb, complete with gold sandals, bracelets and a crown, which hid his short gray hair.

Young eyes tracked him as he walked through campus.

"Nana," as friends call him, spoke remarkably good English, talking to the students clearly. He described his duties as a chief and the treatment he has received throughout his stay in the United States.

"The hospitality here has been very welcomed," said Kumankuma, who bought his first pair of jeans and tennis shoes Tuesday.

Kumankuma has been in America for four weeks. Originally, he was scheduled to stay for only three, but later extended his visit to six. He flies back to Ghana, located on Africa's west coast, Nov. 18.

The 55-year-old chief, who has ruled since 1990, is visiting with the Venice Church of Christ. Kumankuma's village is a part of the church's missionary project.

He answered students' questions Wednesday and gave them an inside look into his responsibilities as chief, a life-long position in Ghana.

"Whatever problem that comes up in my town, I have to treat it," said Kumankuma, who likened his role to that of a U.S. governor. "But you are not supposed to do so many things that an ordinary person can't do."

In a number of ways, Kumankuma acts as the town's father and his sister serves as the town's Queen Mother. A giant gold heart hanging from his neck symbolizes the love he has for his community, he said.

Ted Wheeler of the Venice church has known Kumankuma since he visited the African country in 1995.

The pair also visited schools in Naples, Auburndale and Cary, N.C. After their time at L.A. Ainger, they visited Port Charlotte's Florida Preparatory Academy, which donated five computers to schools in Adankrono. Academy officials are also interested in an exchange program with students from Ghana, Wheeler said.

"He had so much knowledge," said L.A. Ainger eighth-grader John Alexander, 13. "I liked how well he spoke English. That was interesting."

"(Kumankuma) took away the mystery of the foreign culture, and he reached the kids in a way they could understand," added history teacher Susan James. "It was very impressive."