Techiman and Asanteman peace process boosted
The peace process initiated by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, to amicably resolve the protracted dispute between him and the Omanhene of the Techiman Traditional Area was Tuesday given a big boost.
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Oseadeeyo Akumfi Ameyaw, as part of the efforts to promote peace, sent a three-member delegation to welcome the Asantehene home after his visit to South Africa. The delegation donated assorted drinks and 100 tubers of yam to the Asantehene. They also wished him well, particularly in the face of recent rumours about his demise.
The members of the delegation were: Baffuor Asare Twi, Adontehene of the Techiman Traditional Area; Oseadeeyo Asa Adompanin, Kyidomhene and Apenteng Ofosu Gyeabuor, Baamuhene of the traditional area.
The delegation was accompanied by three members of the peace committee set up by the Asantehene to foster peace between him and the Techimanhene — Archbishop Peter Akwasi Sarpong, Archbishop Emeritus of Kumasi; Archbishop Thomas Kwaku Mensah, also an Archbishop Emeritus of Kumasi and Dr Donkor Forjuor, a Special Aide to Otumfuo.
Asantehene’s response
Otumfuo Osei Tutu thanked the Omanhene and people of Techiman for their presents and the warm felicitations. He said it was the Omanhene of the Techiman Traditional Area who had been supplying him yams and asked that the gesture must continue since they were brothers.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu promised to straighten all the rough edges between them.
Frosty relationship
About 18 years ago, a dispute started at Buoyem and Tuobodom when the then Asantehene, Otumfuo Opoku Ware II, elevated stools in the Tano Subin area of the Brong Ahafo Region to paramountcies. Five people were killed, buildings were burnt and other property destroyed, as rival factions of the Asantehene and the Techimanhene clashed.
The areas in dispute include: Tuobodom, Tanoso, Tanodumase and Buoyem, all in the Techiman Traditional Area.
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Currently there are rival chiefs in all the disputed towns. While one side of the towns owes allegiance to the Asantehene, the other serves the Techimanhene.
Recent happenings
On March 5, 2010, some macho-men allegedly kidnapped the Tuobodomhene, Nana Baffour Asare II, who owes allegiance to the Asantehene, and sent him to the palace of the Techimanhene, where the chief claimed he was molested by agents of the Techimanhene.
The incident elicited a fierce reaction from the Asantehene, who threatened to deal with the Techimanhene. Oseadeeyo Akumfi Ameyaw denied the allegation but there were reprisal attacks at both Techiman and Kumasi.
Rumours of death
Touching on the rumours of his death, Otumfuo Osei Tutu explained that recently he travelled abroad for his usual medical checkup and while there, a rumour started circulating that he had kicked the bucket.
He said although some members of his entourage received calls about the rumour, they could not muster courage to tell him.
The Asantehene said it was after he had heard the rumour that members of his entourage told him they had also heard same.