Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II is hurt by the tragic killing of his sub-chief and war marshal, Asamponhene Nana Kwadwo Afuduo.
That’s how Monarchical Historian, Osei-Bonsu Sarfo Kantanka, sums up
the mood of the Asante King. He says Otumfuo is devastated by the death
of his close relative and long time chief driver.
“It is only natural to accept the fact that it would go deeper to hurt
him[Asantehene]. It will hurt him a great deal,” he said.
He explained the Asantehene has a “very cordial relationship with the
late chief who until his enstoolment was his chief driver. He is not
just a chief; he is somebody very close to him[Asantehene]. Even before
the person became chief, he was his chief driver,” he revealed.
“Imagine your chief driver you trust most who has also become a chief;
whom you trusts most and therefore protects you, “Mr, Safo Kantanka
added.
The killing of Asamponhene, a prominent sub-chief at the Manhyia Palace
comes as shock not only to Asanteman, but the entire nation.
It is the second time in 10-years a prominent personality linked to the
seat of the Golden Stool has been killed under such mysterious
circumstances.
Asantehene’s spiritualist with the Nsumankwaa Division, Opanin Akosa,
was shot to death by unknown assailants at Atafoa in Kumasi, in 2009.
In this recent killing, three people, one of them described by police
as a confidante of the late chief, have been picked up while police
search for more suspects.
The Asamponhene, is one of the important chiefs in the traditional set
up at the Manhyia Palace. He is a member of the Mawere Division headed
by the Mawerehene with 24 other sub-chiefs. As one of the trusted war
marshals of the Asantehene, he is not just closer to the King, but
performs specialized duties for the Asantehene- protect the King and the
powerful Golden Stool.
His traditional status allows appellations, motivational or war songs
sang for him at public functions or on the streets, a privilege bestowed
on only the Asantehene.
He is also among few chiefs who take part in ‘Akradware’ (cleansing of
souls) ceremony and qualifies to sit in a palanquin during the Busumuru
rites of the Asantehene.
Mr. Sarfo Kantanka who has been speaking about the important role of
the Asamponhene at the Manhyia Palace is providing the link between the
Asantehene and his sub-chief.
“He is from the paternal side of the Asantehene. That is, the past
queen, Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem’s father is from Asamponhene’s house.
So that is why Asamponhene is known as Afoduo. Asantehemaa’s father was
Afuduo and therefore grandfather of Asantehene. That’s the link. the
second link is that the Asamponhene we are talking today was a driver of
the present Asantehene. He was a driver for a very long time.”
Asantehene in pain
Manhyia Palace is yet to publicly comment on the brutal killing of the once Chief Driver of Asantehene.
Mr. Sarfo Kantanka, however, says Otumfuo is hard hit by the incident.
“Nobody needs to be told that, it is one of the pains of Asantehene.”
Mr. Sarfo Kantanka says the departure of Asamponhene who performed
specialised role to protect Asantehene and the Golden Stool leaves a
avoid at Manhyia Palace.
” A vacuum is created because of the way he does his things. It is very
difficult for two people to play one single role perfectly well the
same way,” he said.
