The Fantis, the Akan lineage group occupying most of the Central Region of Ghana, have an adage: ‘Se Okobran Twa Par A Woma No Mbo’. It is difficult to construct the exact meaning in English, given the cultural and historical circumstances that begat this wise saying.
Any translation, I dare pronounce, could only have a loose semblance of the real thing in the Queen’s language. For that reason, I will settle for a quote from Mr. Kwame Gyawu-Kyem, one-time Editor of the Ghanaian Times, who is now with his ancestors.
He authored a one-paragraph editorial a day after Gen. Kutu Acheampong, the military strongman who ousted Dr. Kofi Abrefa Busia as Prime Minister of Ghana, was also dethroned in a palace coup in 1978. “When a man has done his very best, the angels above cannot do anymore,” the venerable Editor wrote.
Odeefo Akyin VIII put his very best foot forward in this commemorative event of colour and culture, spiced with history and socio-political antecedent. For two weeks, Ebiram, the traditional headquarters of the Ekumfi State, shook to its very foundations.
For those not conversant with the area, the Ekumfi Traditional Area occupies the very centre of the Central Region along the coast. It is bordered in the East by the Gomoa West District, in the West by the Mfanstiman Municipality, in the North by the Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam District, and in the South by the Gulf of Guinea.
The palace at Ebiram has residential facilities for all divisional chiefs in Ekumfi. In other words, when an issue under discussion goes beyond the day, all chiefs at the court of Odeefo Akyin have a place to rest till the next day. It offers a kind of boarding facilities for all sub-chiefs in the traditional area.
There are no prizes for guessing why Ekumfi was in focus throughout the month of June. Odeefo Akyin VIII ascended the Royal Asona Stool of Ebiram signifying his accession as Omanhen of the Ekumfi Traditional Area five years ago.
One of the immediate tasks was preparing to organise a befitting funeral for his departed predecessors – Nana Akyin VI, Akyin VII, two queenmothers – Nana Benyiwa VI, Benyiwa VII, and two Ebusuampanyinfo.
After extensive preparations, June 9 – June 18 was fixed for the grand commemoration. Some of us were apprehensive, especially with the weather conditions, when the funeral commemoration was fixed for June.
Odeefo Akyin somehow gave the assurance that there would be no rains. Lo and behold, the heavens held its own till the very last minute of the programme.
In the early hours of June 9, Okyeame Kwame Mentawoho poured libation at the forecourt of the Royal Palace to invite the departed ‘home’ and to officially begin the commemoration.
The next day, Asafo groups from about 10 communities in the Ekumfi State brought Ebiram to a standstill. The event continued with songs, steps and waving of flags of the various Asafo group in the Ekumfi Traditional Area vibrating on the palace grounds. The event continued throughout to Saturday, June 17, when the commemoration reached its climax.
With a number of radio stations taking live feed from the Palace grounds, divisional chiefs and their queenmothers escorted Odeefo Akyin VIII to the parade grounds to take his seat and wait for paramount chiefs in the Central Region and invited guests, including the Minister of Religious Affairs, Stephen Asamoah-Boateng, the Central Regional Minister, Ms. Justin Marigold Assan, the former Minister of Railways Development and New Patriotic Party presidential hopeful, Mr. Joe Ghartey, who is a son of the Ekumfi State, as well as the President of the National House of Chiefs, Ogyeahohuo Yaw Gyebi II, and the President of the Central Regional House of Chiefs, Odeefo Amoakwa Buadu VIII, who is also the Omanhen of the Breman Asikuma Traditional Area.
On the fateful day, there was great disappointment on the part of government officials invited to the function. The Minister for Religious Affairs did not show up. I have still not heard any explanation from my good friend.
Ms. Marigold Assan was not present either. She sent her Co-Ordinating Director to represent her. Ogyeahohuo Gyebi II could also not make it. His Chief Director was sent to represent him.
In the absence of the head of the National House of Chiefs, Odeefo Amoakwa Buadu stood in his shoes and brought the house down. Ekumfi Asafo rekindled the spirit of the olden days when Nana Akyin VI, in his capacity as the Chairman of the Presidential Commission, ensured that sounds from Ekumfi resonated at all state functions.
In those days, Otuam Asafo, renowned throughout the country as the best Asafo could provide, entertained guests at all state functions.
Once upon a time, while exiled in London, I was invited to an event at Bristol University in Britain to witness an exhibition of Asafo flags. One particular flag from Otuam was almost one mile in length.
Otuam though did not bring any long flag to Ebiram. But the virtuoso performance they put up with their flagbearer tossing his flag up and down, and diving under it in a vibrant dance, was a spectacle.
Edumafa and Asaafa, two communities along the coast and which are also well renowned in the hoisting of Asafo flags, adequately filled in for Otuam. The two Asafo companies brought their long flags, measuring nearly half a mile each, and got the crowd wild with excitement.
There was an unofficial contest of drumming and dancing, with the Fontofrom and Kete featuring prominently in each entourage of paramount chiefs entering the funeral grounds.
From where I sat on the dais, I scored Ehuabobrim Pra Agyesam, Paramount Chief of the Kushea Traditional Area, the ultimate winner in this unofficial contest of traditional chiefs.
Followed by a long retinue of drummers and dancers, the Omanhene danced all the way to the grounds and out of it, when he asked permission to leave. When he had sat down, the women singers and dancers, Ehuabobrim brought along, animated the grounds.
I was so impressed with his engagement on the ground that I stood from the dais and went and shook hands with him.
Before Odeefo Akyin took the floor to address his guests, Asafo drummers and dancers seized the floor for more than ten minutes, performing dance moves with appellation for more than 10 minutes. After the Asafo drumming and dancing, Fontofrom and Kete took over, with the ABENTSIA sounding the Suro Koko anthem.
Suro Koko, Nkrofo Yi Wo Suro Kok (They fear, the people fear bad).
Odeefo Akyin announced a new festival to be celebrated throughout the Ekumfi Traditional Area, beginning in August 2024. The new festival is without prejudice to the Akwambo and Ayerye, which individual communities in the area celebrate each year.
The Overlord of the Ekumfi Traditional Area told his guests that he and his sub-chiefs organised the funeral to officially retire his predecessors who had already joined their ancestors. In Akan tradition the belief is that our ancestors are the main link between the living and the kingdom of Almighty God. That is why the Akans organise elaborate funerals to bid the deceased a befitting farewell.
At Ebiram, modernity was linked to the old ancient system, when traditional executors, thought to be out of existence in the modern era, emerged in their numbers on the funeral grounds. One sporting charcoal black colour on body and clothing tore a chicken head and chewed it in public. It was a bit scary, I must confess.
The grand event ended on Sunday, June 18, when a non-denominational church service was organised at the Palace grounds. A long list of reverend ministers, from the Central Region, were invited to hand over the deceased royals to their Maker.
In attendance were the St. James Anglican Choir from Winneba, Saltpond Anglican Choir, the Winneba Royal Choir and All Church Choir from Ebiram. Venerable Aaron Edua of the Winneba Anglican Church led a group of clergymen and women to close the chapter on the commemoration service for the departed royals of Ekumfi.
The Ghana Armed Forces Central Band provided music throughout the nearly two weeks of commemoration. Now, that the funerals are out of the way, Odeefo Akyin could now down his funeral cloth which has been his clothing since he became the Paramount Chief of the Ekumfi Traditional Area five years ago and put on a garb befitting a King.
Ekumfiba Ebo Quansah @ Ebiram
