Ayekoo to chiefs and people of Akuapem
December 18, 2015 marked exactly two years of the coming together of Okuapeman after about 20 years of imbroglio. This was the day that at the forecourt of Okuapehene's palace, three “paramount chiefs” dropped the higher titles they held for almost twenty years and assumed the former positions of their forebears as divisional chiefs of the Akuapem Traditional Area. It was indeed an inspirational and momentous occasion.
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On behalf of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana and all Christians in Akuapem, I wish to congratulate Osahene Offei Kwasi Agyemang IV, the Krontihene and Senior Divisional
Chief of Akuapem who doubles as the Ag. President of the Akuapem Traditional Council in the interregnum, and all the divisional chiefs, chiefs, and queenmothers of Akuapem for sustaining the peace for the past one year.
Oseadeeyo’s legacy
Oseadeeyo Addo Dankwa III, the Okuapehene, who sat in state for the re-unification durbar, two years ago, has gone to the village. Nana, in your honour, we observe this day. You left for the village as a very happy king because you left a united Akuapem. Our prayer is that this unity will abide forever for the progress and development of Okuapeman.
Mr Francis Crowther, a former Commissioner of the Eastern Province who later became the Secretary for Native Affairs of the Gold Coast, in 1915, made an important observation after he had presided over an inquiry into disputes between the then Omanhene and two divisional chiefs of the traditional area. Crowther stated, "It would be unwise to forecast the future of Akwapim but it is safe to say that its future peace can only be secured if its constituent parts submerge the memory of their diversity of origin."
Changing the perception
That observation by Crowther sounded very derogatory, but it was an important one. In my view, it was not the intention of the Secretary of Native Affairs to demean our forebears but the number of animosities at that time might have compelled him. Even if it was true at that time, it is for us to change that perception.
Be that as it may, the second portion of Crowther's statement should be well thought through because of the heterogeneous nature of Akuapem. A sociologist by name
Wendy Griswold suggests in her book, "Cultures and Societies in a Changing World" that “When a collective identity is activated, it produces a shared way of thinking (a social mind) that perceives certain situations as troubling and in need of attention. This cognitive activation can lead to action.” Akuapem is Akuapem because of the Abotakyi Accord.
That is our collective identity and it should spur us on as one people with a common destiny. May the Lord's peace nurture and sustain our efforts as we celebrate peace in Akuapem, year-after-year.
Long Live Okuapeman!
Long Live Ghana!
Long Live Presbyterian Church of Ghana, which was 187 years last Saturday!
The writer is the chairman of the Akuapem Presbytarian of the Presbyarian Church of Ghana