Kumasi, March 26, GNA - Shock, grief and resignation gripped chiefs, linguists, servants and other workers of the Manhyia Palace when news of the sudden death of Opanin Kwabena Akosa, one of the leading spiritualists of the Asantehene, broke out on Wednesday evening. Opanin Akosa, 60, was shot dead by an unidentified person at Atafoa, where he resided, on the Kumasi - Barekese road at about 1900 hours on Wednesday.

He was returning from the Owabi Forest Reserve, where he had gone to collect shrubs and herbs towards the preparation for "Nsamangro", a traditional performance planned as part of activities to mark the 10th anniversary celebration of the coronation of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.

On Thursday morning when the Ghana News Agency visited the Palace, normal activities were going on but some of the chiefs, linguists and other officials were seen wearing long faces and standing in groups discussing what might have caused the unidentified person to shoot and kill the spiritualist.

Opanin Akosa, a member of the "Nsumankwaa Fekuo" (Division) and the carrier of the "Samanka" shrine of the Asantehene, was said to have spent greater part of Wednesday performing routine traditional service at the Palace of the Asante King.

The "Samanka" shrine is a pot of shrubs and herbs believed to have powers to drive away evil spirits that may attempt to cross the path of the Asantehene, whenever he is in procession. Mr George B. Osei-Antwi, Media Relations Manager at Manhyia, told the He said the Asantehene had not been officially notified of the death since it was a taboo to do so, especially during this period of the celebrations.

Mr Osei-Antwi, however, said the death of Opanin Akosa would not in anyway disrupt the "Nsamangro" performance and other activities, which were expected to be performed by the deceased since the "Nsumankwaa" Division had others in line to perform his duties. The Media Relations Manager said Opanin Akosa went to the Owabi Forest Reserve on the Kumasi-Barekese road to collect additional herbs in preparation for this Thursday's festivities.

He said after collecting the herbs and was returning home an unknown person shot and killed him instantly. Mr Osei-Antwi said what baffled most of them was the fact that all the money, mobile phones, the herbs and other items were found intact on the body of the deceased.

The Suame District Police Command in Kumasi confirmed the incident and said the body of Opanin Akosa had been deposited at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital mortuary.

Superintendent Kwabena Antwi Boasiako, District Police Commander, told the GNA that, after alighting at Atafoa, where he resided, and decided to cross the road to his house, Opanin Akosa was shot at a close range by an unknown assailant. He said the deceased managed to run to a nearby church before he collapsed and died. Superintendent Boasiako said the Police had not figured out the motive since his killer did not take away anything from him. He said the Police had begun investigations.