“The Asantehene’s authority was not donated by Accra, licensed by Parliament or manufactured by the constitution. His power predates colonialism, survived imperial wars, negotiated coexistence with the British Crown, outlived independence, and remains fully operational in modern Ghana. Ghana did not crown our monarch. Ghana met him and wisely chose accommodation and denial.”— Douglas Peters
Ever tried to analyse and appreciate the Twi saying “Asante Kotoko, wo kum apem a, apem bɛba”? (Asante porcupine, if you kill a thousand, a thousand more will come.) The porcupine the Asante national emblem was created by Asantehene Nana Osei Tutu Kofi, the first (1695–1717). The animal was used as a symbolism and the quills of the porcupine was an apt description for the battle-readiness of the Asante people.
You may say that it is history, but, behind the mind of every Asante person the historical fact remains that Nana Osei Tutu and his chief priest, Okomfo Anokye, chose the right animal to fit the nation… and Nana Ofori Twentwenkoma will always remark on Royal TV (6:30 am) “… O, Otumfuo, me nana no, w’ama ahennie ayɛ fɛ” (Otumfuo, my grandchild has made chieftaincy beautiful)… recalling Otumfuo’s strategy to develop Asante…
There is more to say on this, but for now, we would concentrate on the visit of Otumfuo to the US to celebrate the Akwasidae there. It was a 10-day working visit, with Otumfuo departing Kumasi on 23rd August and returning on 3rd September.
Otumfuo delivered a lecture at Howard University in Washington DC. The motto of this Howard university is “Veritas et Utilitas” (Truth and Service), reflecting the university’s commitment to academic excellence, leadership and giving back to the community. It is a private institution, a historically black research university, widely known as “the Mecca” … owing to its commitment to Black excellence, leadership and social justice. Historically, this is the university which awarded Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah his honorary doctorate degree in 1957 and where (Moorland Spingarn Research Centre) Kwame Nkrumah Papers are kept.
It was at Howard that Otumfuo delivered a powerful address on African unity, cultural heritage, preservation and ties into the global African diaspora. He gave a powerful account on the role of traditional institutions in modern governance and the importance of stronger socio-economic bridges between Africans on the continent and those in the diaspora.
The topic was well captured: “Governance, Cultural Preservation, Traditional Leadership and the Enduring Connection Between Ghana and the Global African Diaspora.” The ceremony was held at Cramton Auditorium and organised as part of the Millennium Excellence Awards Week by the Millennium Excellence Foundation.
Lines in Otumfuo’s speech that caught great attention included “…A society that loses confidence in its culture, eventually loses confidence in itself,” “…Participation in the modern world should not require us to abandon our own languages…”, “…Do not approach culture only through fashion, music and social media…”.
Ghana’s role in “The Year of Return” for example does not create belonging. “Sankofa” does not ask us to remain permanently facing backwards; we recover memory to move into the future with greater wisdom…” ‘…You have inherited technological possibilities that earlier generations could scarcely have imagined… Within seconds you can connect Accra with Washington, Kumasi with Kinshasa, Lagos with London… (but) technological connection is not the same as human unity.
Unity requires knowledge, trust, discipline and responsibility. Do not allow others to define Africa entirely for you, … let us strengthen the bond between Ghana and the global African diaspora. On August 30th, Otumfuo celebrated the Akwasidae at the Bowie State University in Maryland. It was an occasion for the royal display; magnificent Kente regalia, traditional royal procession and cultural dancing.
Alfred Owusu-Ansah would write: “… cultural exportation… abroad… increase in tourism to Ghana, and Kwasi Agyemang would write: “He was invited, he came, we went… from north, south, east and west to support. We celebrated beautifully and peacefully. No guns, no insults, just joy. We love God, we also love our tradition. We are Asantes, and proud about it.” Culture galore; and the Governor of Maryland, Wes Moore, joined the celebration with other prominent state and local officials.
And Kumasi stood still on 3rd September – to welcome back home Otumfuo and his entourage – from the United States. The chiefs, local leaders as well as the Regional authorities (security heads: Police, Army, Customs, Immigration, Fire, Prisons) were all at the Prempeh I Airport, Kumasi. The charter flight touched down at 12:30 pm, thunderous applause. A guard of honour for Otumfuo. “Nana, Akwaaba” “Nana,” “Wo tirinkwa,” “Nana, mo amu?” “Nana, Nyame nhyira wo”…
The drummers, the dancers (especially Kete dancers) the Chiefs were there, the Queens … and Otumfuo wearing a greyish political suit, took intricate adowa dance steps – to the admiration of the onlookers. The Asantehene, the palace women, the royal household of Manhyia as well as the royal dancers gave the Otumfuo a fitting royal akwaaba …
Otumfuo must not be distracted by the detractors. Confucius, born Kong Qiu (551–479 BCE), traditionally is considered as the paragon of Chinese sages. His philosophical teachings, called Confucianism, emphasise personal and governmental morality, harmonious social relationships, righteousness, kindness, sincerity and a ruler’s responsibilities to lead by virtue.
In his book, the “Analects”, Confucius presents himself as a “transmitter who invented nothing”. He writes: “If I am walking with two other men, each of them may serve as my teacher. I will pick out the good points of the one and imitate them, and the bad points of the other and correct them in myself.”
From Confucius, we learn radical humility and self-reflection, and we note that no single person knows everything… when you see someone with good qualities, you can imitate and adopt the positive traits. The Greek philosopher Socrates puts it this way: “…The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing…” The great Italian artist, Michelangelo, at the age of 87, in 1560 would say: “Ancora imparo” meaning “I am still learning”; The Russian poet, Andrei Voznesensky would write “Goya” and inscribe “Я учусь” (“I am still learning”).
And while “still learning”, we chance upon a beautifully packaged brochure of “Celebrating the People’s King, Osagyefuo Oseadeyo Dr. Agyemang Badu II …” Widely known for his fearless voice on governance, culture and national development, Oseadeyo Dr. Agyemang Badu remains an influential figure within Ghana’s chieftaincy institution.
His contribution to national discourse, justice and cultural preservation continue to shape conversations far beyond Dormaa. He has always been remembered for calling out politicians on bad leadership, while championing good governance and policies”.
The appellation of a “king” at Dormaa, drew us to reflect on the history we learnt and remembered. One teacher telling us that the Dormaas had once lived in Suntreso (Kumasi) where we had our primary education. The Dormaas moved from Akwamu, passing through Obo, Agogo, Hwediem and settling at their present location, called Wam Paamu, now re-named Dormaa-Ahenkro in 1949. We are all Ghanaians, and all that we pray for is for God to give us the strength and wisdom to contribute our quota to the development of Ghana, which we can do in several ways.
Thomas Gray’s “Elegy in a Country Churchyard” states: “… Let not Ambition mock their useful toil, their homely joys, and destiny obscure; Nor Grandeur hear with a disdainful smile. The short and simple annals of the poor.
The boast of heraldry, the pomp of pow’r, and all that beauty, all that wealth e’er gave, Awaits alike th’ inevitable hour, The paths of glory lead but to the grave…” Percy Bysshe Shelley’s “Ozymandias”: “…And on the pedestal, these words appear: “My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings; Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair! Nothing beside remains. Round the decay of that colossal Wreck, boundless and bare The lone and level sands stretch far away.” Other nations have Sultan, Emir, Caliph, Emperor, Kabaka.
We have “Otumfuo”, translate it into English the way you want!
Africanus Owusu-Ansah
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