Choice of next Okuapehene

Graphic.com.gh Opinion Oct - 20 - 2015 , 13:41

Based on the announcement of the demise of the Okuapehene, Oseadeeyo Addo Dankwa lll by the Gyaasehene of Akuapem, Nana Osim Kwatia ll, I wish to express my personal condolences and that of all churches in Akuapem to the Nketiaa, Amma Ogyaa and Sakyiabea royal families of Akropong; Mpakanfo (from Kuronti to Benkum); Okoman Mpanin, Ankobeafo, Ahemmeafo, Akyeame, wife, children, brothers and sisters, and of course the entire Okuapemman.

To begin with, I want to sing Ephraim Amu's Song:

"Asomdwoe mu na meko mako da na mada preko komm! Owia no anya ato, esum aduru, adwumma asa, mere ko m'akoda ..."

And to proceed, it will be worthwhile to relate it to Psalm 4: 8, the text used By Dr Amu,

"In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety."

Comment on this passage

The book of Psalms contains some of the most beautiful poetry ever written. It mostly praises God but sometimes it expresses human sentiments and challenges. In this Psalm, King David expressed some of the daily sentiments, troubles and tribulations. After the hard day’s boisterous activities, what else can a person do than to rest as the night draws nigh? As the night draws nigh, one ought to rest. For David, the best place to rest is for one to rest in God.

Compare this to an assurance from the Lord Jesus in John 14: 27a, "My peace I leave with you..."

Peace was important to Oseadeeyo

Those who were close to Oseadeeyo Addo Dankwa III know that Nana was a servant of peace and unity. His maxim was, "Me de menni asem an me siesie asem". His approach to misunderstanding was more reconciliatory than judgmental. He tried his best to accommodate and tolerate even those who did not agree with him.

Mr D.A. Sutherland's 1932 Letter

On June 14, 1932 the then Ag. District Commissioner in Akuapem, in forwarding the resolution of the Akuapem State Council on the reinstatement of Nana Ofori Kuma II as the Okuapehene, wrote a five-page report to urge the Provincial Commissioner to act on the resolution with urgency.

He states in part, "the history of Akuapem reveals that the deposition or death or resignation of an omanhene in recent times has invariably been followed by years of internal strife and dissension before a successor is appointed".

Mr Sutherland explains his point by cataloging events in Akuapem in relation to the paramountcy since 1907 and, indeed, strife and dissension had occurred. This fact cannot be disputed in any way because available records at the National Archives affirm it.

Protracted disputes

In 1895 when Nana F.W. Kwasi Akuffo took over the mantle from his uncle, he struggled to rule until he gave way to Nana Owusu Ansah in October 1907, who also had a difficult tenure till 1914 when he bowed out.

Nana Ofori Kuma II took over in 1914 from his elder brother, Nana Owusu Ansah and faced similar internal and external wrangling till he bowed out eventually in June 1919. For four years, there was no king in Akuapem. It was not because there was no qualified candidate but because different groups of Osiahene had their interests. According to Mr Sutherland, "litigation and dissension followed."

Eventually, Nana F.W. Kwasi Akuffo returned to the stool in 1923. He passed away suddenly in 1927. And for three years, there was no king in Akuapem. The problem was whether to allow Lawyer J.B. Koranteng to return or they should look for another person.

In 1930, Nana Addo Dankwa II was given the nod as the omanhene by the government. Another problem arose. Three of the divisional chiefs protested against the installation of Nana Addo Dankwa II. Why? They had their preferred candidate. It took the intervention of the district commissioner for the three divisional chiefs to swear the oath of allegiance to the omanhene in 1931. Unfortunately, by December 1931, Nana was taken ill. Nana Yaw Boafo (the Senior Divisional Chief) was made to act as Omanhene. By February 1932, Nana was gone.

The one to succeed Nana Addo Dankwa II became another problem. Lawyer J.B. Koranteng was still in the race. Another group also wanted Lawyer Offei Darko Awere. Sadly, on May 17 while the Asiahenefo had gathered in the palace to present Lawyer Darko Awere as the omanhene elect, another group was parading Lawyer Koranteng in the street as omanhene. Lawyer Awere, on May 20, wrote to the district commissioner to decline the offer.

With no option for Asiahenefo now, like Nana Kwasi Akuffo, Nana Ofori Kuma II was reinstalled as Omanhene and interestingly, within that era, he ruled the longest; from 1932-42.

Nana Kwadade II followed and ruled from 1942-1945.

In 1945, with the exit of Nana Kwadade, Lawyer Offei Darko Awere who declined the nomination in 1932 due to disputes, this time accepted the offer as omanhene with the stool name, Nana Kwame Fori II. Soon afterwards tension mounted. By 1949, he had abdicated.

Nana Twumhene ascended the Ofori Kuma Stool from 1949-1959 and gave way to Nana Kwame Fori II again from 1959. In 1974, which is recent history, many people saw what happened when Oseadeeyo was nominated and enthroned as the paramount chief.

Reign of Oseadeeyo Addo Dankwa

As a scholar interested in the history of his ancestors, Oseadeeyo did his best to preserve that unity even though there were challenges, especially with the imbroglio in Akuapem in 1994. Peace prevailed in Akuapem in 2013 and last year, all chiefs and people celebrated the 40th anniversary of Oseadeeyo's reign together.

The contribution of Oseadeeyo to peace in Akuapem should not be destroyed. We should change the direction of history in our time. The "In recent times" mentioned by Mr Sutherland, the Ag. District Commissioner, in June 1932 to me, meant 1895-1932. That makes it a historical occurrence. This should change in our time.

Some observations:

The occurrences that the commissioner wrote about at that time happened for three main reasons, in my view:

1. Sometimes, some of the candidates became power-drunk and wanted to be nominated, no matter what.

2. Sometimes, the kingmakers themselves were not trustworthy.

3. Some of the divisional chiefs sided with one group or another at other times or they had an interest in a particular candidate.

Mede Onyankopon din sre Asiahenefo, nananom mennyina moanim mmu be da. Na nananom, mo na mo kyeree yen se, "nea ehye no, woammfa annhye a, efi to". Since there is a Declaration Order Customary Law (Akwapim State) Order, 1960 (LI 32) made under Act No 20 of 1958, Let the LI work.

Oseadeeyo was a peaceful person and he cherished peace. I pray that all royals, Mpakanfo, ahenfo, Oman, the government, and the church would all play their roles dutifully to sustain the peace in the Akuapem State. Shalom!

• The writer is the Akuapem Presbytery Chairman of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana.