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Royal anger
23/08/05, Martin Luther King
Royal etiquette implies that decorum defines the manner of speech of
monarchs. Therefore, when royals speak in anger publicly, then
something must really be amiss. That's the case with Asantehene Otumfuo
Osei Tutu II, the respected monarch of Ghana's Ashanti Kingdom, who
recently exploded in anger, indicating that all is not well.
Sources have said that the Asantehene had to speak out because he was
alarmed at the depth of ethnic bigotry ravaging Ghana. The degree of
the anger felt by the royal father was reflected in the harsh way he
spoke while urging Ghanaians to think of better ways to improve the
country's lot rather than wasting time negatively profiling the
Ashanti. "Don't push us to the wall or we will be compelled to strike,"
he warned people who allegedly delight in bashing the Ashanti
nationality.
According to the Asantehene, critics and people with anti-Ashanti
feelings should be more courteous in questioning the appointments of
public officers by President John Agyekum Kufuor, himself a
distinguished Ashanti man.
Speaking in Kumasi, the monarch said the current New Patriotic Party
(NPP)-led government in Ghana has nothing to do with the glory of the
Ashanti man and the worldwide recognition of the Golden Stool, which is
the symbol of Ashanti ethnic group.
"I want to tell Ghanaians that the glory of Ashanti man and the high
recognition given to the Golden Stool by diplomats and other high-
ranking people of various countries is not the making of the ruling NPP
government," Osei Tutu II stated in Ashanti Twi.
According to him, the respect enjoyed today by the Ashanti nation has a
long history and came about through the tireless efforts of his
ancestors, predecessors and one Okomfo Anokye, a fetish priest who
allegedly commandeered the Golden Stool from the heavens. He added that
long before Ghana came into existence there was Ashanti nation which
had gained much recognition, stressing that the Kufuor administration
has made no contribution whatsoever to the visits of dignitaries to his
palace.
"This has been a practice over the years before Mr. Kufuor became the
President of the Republic of Ghana," Osei Tutu II stated.
The Ashanti king bemoaned the impression created in some circles that
President Kufuor is promoting the Ashanti Kingdom, in particular the
Asantehene, at the expense of other traditional rulers.
He expressed the confidence that, no matter what people say or do,
visits to his palace by foreign dignitaries and donor support for his
developmental agenda would continue till "thy Kingdom come."
Osei Tutu II disclosed that soon after his visit to South Africa and
Sierra Leone, he received another invitation from the King of Cote
d'Ivoire, but could not honour it because of fatigue and other
circumstances, adding that he was scheduled to travel to Morocco this
month, on the invitation of the Moroccan king and other high profile
personalities. He insisted that President Kufuor and his government
were not instrumental to all these, including the recent visit of the
Zambian President Patrick Mwanawasa, to his palace.
The Asantehene pleaded with Ghanaians to remain united under one
national identity and stop politicising issues by way of whipping up
ethnic sentiments in order not to plunge the country into confusion. He
warned that if those with the anti-Ashanti feelings do not put on the
brakes but choose to continue with the unethical conduct by pushing
them to the wall, Ashantis would be compelled to defy all odds and go
after them.
Osei Tutu II also refuted allegations that he is planning to build a
palace in Accra, saying he did not have the slightest idea about the
purported allocation of a plot of land for that purpose in the Ghanaian
capital. He, however, said he did not see anything wrong if he should
decide to put up a structure in Accra, since it takes strangers to
build a community.
The Ashanti Kingdom, which rose to prominence in the 17th century in an
area that covers the present-day country of Ghana, has been described
as "The Kingdom of Gold" because its might and fame came about through
its control and use of gold with all royal adornments and symbols of
power wrought by the precious metal. It was the success of this kingdom
that first drew Europeans to Ghana (then known as Gold Coast) in the
19th century.
Osei Tutu II, who is the 16th Asantehene-the royal title for Ashanti
kings-has been the leader of his people since April 1999. He is in
direct succession to Nana Osei Tutu I, the founder of the Ashanti
Kingdom. Osei Tutu II has established a reputation for being a
philanthropist with particular interest in education, health and
economic upliftment not only of his own subjects, but of the people of
Ghana as a whole. He has set up the Otumfuo Education Fund to promote
quality primary, secondary, tertiary and vocational education. He has
also established the Osei Tutu Fund to focus on such issues as maternal
and infant mortality, eye diseases and intensifying education on
HIV/AIDS. Another of his pet projects is the Ashanti man Economic
Revitalisation Plan which aims to promote private and corporate
investment in local industries.
September 2005
PETER W.VAKUNTA
DEPARTMENT OF FRENCH AND ITALIAN
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN MADISON
602 VAN HISE HALL
1220 LINDEN DRIVE
MADISON WI 53706-1525
U.S.A
Office 608 262 4067
Home 608 422 6089
Cell 608 381 0407
"The heart of a fool is in his mouth, but the mouth of the wise man is
in his heart."
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
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