Blame Akyem-Tafohene for JB’s Funeral To-Do

By Kwame Okoampa-Ahoofe, Jr., Ph.D.
Garden City, New York
April 17, 2016
E-mail: okoampaahoofe@optimum.net

The widely reported clashing of some members of the Okyenhene’s entourage with the delegation of the Asantehene at the Akyem-Tafo funeral of Mr. Joseph Boakye Danquah-Adu, the slain New Patriotic Party Member of Parliament for Akyem-Abuakwa North, ought not be allowed to pass without comment (See “Okyenhene, Otumfuo ‘Clash’ at JB’s Funeral” Starrfmonline.com / Ghanaweb.com 4/17/16). At best, it is inexcusable; and at the worst, simply pathetic. What clearly appears to have occurred at Akyem-Tafo, Old-Tafo, to be precise, was an abject breakdown in protocol.

The delegation of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei-Tutu, II, led by the Asamponhene, Oheneba Kwadwo Afuduor, is reported to have already arrived and been seated at the funeral grounds when the entourage of the Okyenhene, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori-Panyin, II, arrived. Contrary to protocol, some of the members of the Okyenhene’s entourage had expected the Asantehene’s representative to have risen upon the arrival of the Okyenhene at the funeral grounds, in show of courtesy. We are further told that the refusal of Oheneba Kwadwo Afuduor and the members of his delegation to rise up nearly resulted in a catastrophe of some sort.

I am especially pained by this episode because as a grandson of the Asiakwahene, I am also the kinsman of both the Asantehene and the Okyenhene. Of course, my late father, Prof. Kwame Okoampa-Ahoofe, Sr., (1929-2001), was also a member of the Gyaase Division of Ofori-Panyinfie, from what I understand. In short, I have been caught in a crossfire, which makes matters even more excruciating for me. At any rate, a few issues need prompt ironing out. For instance, would it have been appropriate if Otumfuo Osei-Tutu had decided not to put in his majestic presence even by proxy at Mr. Danquah-Adu’s funeral, knowing full well that as the paternal grandson of the immortalized Doyen of Gold Coast and Modern Ghanaian Politics, Dr. Joseph (Kwame Kyeretwie) Boakye-Danquah, the slain politician’s paternal lineage could be directly traced to the Palace of the Asante-Mamponghene, or the Krontihene, the arch-lieutenant of the Asantehene?

This is not a simple question to answer, because it is ineluctably rhetorical. And if the dear reader is of Akan descent, or happens to have been tutored in the ethos and mores of the Akan people, the thrust of my question would readily resonate with all the grievous implications that it evokes. At any rate, traditionally, in order to forestall the sort of patently undignified to-do that is alleged to have occurred at the Akyem-Tafo funeral of Mr. Danquah-Adu, the Tafohene ought to have ensured that both the Okyenhene’s entourage and the Asantehene’s delegation would be seated at the funeral grounds at the same time. This way, the sticky question of historical and political primacy and/or preeminence would not have arisen. After all, the event was the funeral of a tragically slain man, not a contest of personalities or kingdoms. There is therefore absolutely no need, whatsoever, to further complicate matters by unnecessarily delving into some of the reasons why the Okyenhene’s entourage had expected the Asantehene’s delegation to have risen up, in show of deference, at the arrival of the traditional overlord of Okyeman.

Anyway, shortly upon reading this tooth-edge-setting news report, I phoned my cousin, Barima Okore-Gyansi, the Chief of Akyem-Ahwenease, to compare notes. Nana Okore-Gyansi is, naturally, better tutored in palatial/royal protocol than I am; and so his prompt and ready concurrence inspired me to briefly offer my take with readers who may understandably be perplexed by this entire episode. Needless to say, this is the worst time to provoke any gratuitous hostilities between two of the greatest rival Akan states. And on the latter note ought to be emphasized the fact that Asantes and Akyems are rival kinsmen and siblings, not inveterate enemies. In short, Mr. Danquah-Adu’s death ought to bring both relatives together, not throw a monkey wrench amidst us for the sinister pleasure of those who would have us live on the socioeconomic and political margins of Ghanaian society like recent immigrants on our own land.

Besides, the real killers of Mr. Danquah-Adu are still out there; and it would be far more constructive to put our heads together, in order to prevent the cheap liquidation of one of our most valuable statesmen and kinsfolk by those who would ill-advisedly take our otherwise salutary rivalry for rabid enmity, and would seize upon the least opportunity to open up a season of terror against us. In view of the stark reality of the preceding observations, some apologies are in order here. I would be the first to put in my proverbial ten pesewas, as it were. And I think the Tafohene ought to take the lead on the other side of the Atlantic. It would also not be totally out of place for Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori-Panyin and Otumfuo Osei-Tutu to share a hearty joke over a sumptuous meal; and perhaps even a dance over this light ripple across the land.

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