Pratt Hits Hard At Asantehene

: Advise Yourself First Instead Of Dagombas

The Managing Editor of the Insight newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr, has waded into the Tuobodomanhene / Techimanhene / Asantehene fray by issuing a rather terse note of caution to the Asantehene asking him to be circumspect in his utterances.

Mr. Pratt strongly believes that much as the action by the Techimanhene, Oseadeeyo Ameyaw Akumfi IV, deserves outright condemnation, the statement by the Asantehene was unbecoming of a great king, who is highly regarded in the country, more so when he is mediating in the Dagbon Chieftaincy dispute.

According to him, the action by the two statesmen has desecrated the chieftaincy institution in the country.

“It’s about time our chiefs were made to understand that Ghana does not belong to them…those days of the “ahenfie” police….severing off people’s heads for wronging a king are past…We are in 2010…Our chiefs, should permit me to say, reason carefully before taking decisions,” he crossly said.

On Friday, March 5th, some unidentified heavily built men alighted from a white Ford bus with registration number AW 2873 Z, and in Rambo style, kidnapped the Chief of Tuobodom, Nana Asare Baffour II, who owes allegiance to the Asantehene, and sent him to the Techimanhene’s palace, where he was allegedly physically assaulted.

The incident occurred whiles the Wenchi High Court was sitting.

The inaction by the police and the lack of proactiveness by the Brong Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs in settling the dispute incurred the displeasure of Otumfuo Osei Tutu.

The visibly angry 16th occupant of the Golden Stool, at the press conference yesterday questioned why the actions of the Techimanhene have not received outright condemnation and the rather long silence over the issue by the appropriate quarters.

The Asantehene thereby issued an ultimatum to government to make its position clear and threatened that, should the appropriate agencies fail to call the Techimanhene to order, he (the Asantehene) will “arrest him just as a hawk grabs a hen, if the Techimanhene dares travel through Kumasi.”

But speaking on Peace FM’s “Kokrokoo”, Mr. Pratt lashed out at the Asantehene calling his pronouncements reckless which could endanger the lives of the two ethnic groups in particular, and Ghanaians in general.

“Kwami, I believe Otumfuo stills heads the Eminent Committee of Chiefs mediating in the Dagbon crisis…he is sitting on the committee advising the Dagombas,…he should rather advice himself, its important…the statement he made threatening the Techimanhene…what will be the consequences for both Asantes and the people of Techiman….my goodness, what is this?” an exasperated Pratt said.

The Insight Managing Editor was equally uncharitable to the Techimanhene censuring him for his role in the kidnapping of the Tuobodomhene, Nana Asare Baffour II.

“And this Techimanhene, what is his problem?...This is a serious matter…How can send macho men to arrest someone who you think has wronged you? You bring him to your palace, strip him naked and subject him to severe beatings…Is that how we want to live in this country?” he questioned.

Mr. Pratt was however, quick to add that he was in tandem with the statement made by the Asantehene that state institutions must be allowed to work and the law made to take its course.

“It does not matter whether you are Otumfuo or whatever…it does not matter whether you are the President…, from today to go…anyone who flouts the law must be brought to book and dealt with accordingly by the law,” he said.

Kwesi Pratt told Kwami Sefa-Kayi, host of the morning show programme. He recalled the instance where he and other colleague journalists were warned never to step foot in Kumasi after making certain comments about the Asantehene. Kwesi Pratt said.

He added that our traditional rulers should refrain from acts that will unnecessarily raise tension in the country.

“Ghana is a constitutionally democratic and Republic country…Our chiefs should think of Ghana first...when they do all this and it degenerates itself a battle, in the final analysis, the ordinary Ghanaian will bear the brunt of all this…the tax payer’s money will be used to engage the services of security personnel to bring peace in the area…indeed we’re tired of them,” Kwesi Pratt said.