Asantehene Dead? Okumkom Declares War...

Nana Akwasi Agyeman, popularly called ‘Okumkom’, has issued a warning to those who are deliberately spreading the rumour that the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has kicked the bucket.

The former Mayor of Kumasi, who is incidentally a royal in the Ashanti Kingdom, warned those spreading the false news to desist from the prank or face his wrath.

He would not state how he plans to deal with the engineers of the wild rumour about the Asantehene’s demise, but only hinted that those people would never forget the experience he would put them through.

According to him, he would personally engage the services of experts to investigate and smoke out “the wicked people” that wished evil for Asanteman.

“I will not do anything illegal, I respect the laws of the land, but I can promise you that those behind the rumour would not forget the harsh experience that they would face when I lay my hands on them. If they don’t respect authority, they should understand that Asanteman holds Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the occupant of the Golden Stool, in high esteem and nobody can tarnish the image of the Asantehene and go scot free,” he threatened when 'Daily Guide' interviewed him on Thursday on the issue that has created intense media rave in the last few days.

In a clearly angry tone, Okumkom told 'Daily Guide' that he suspected that the faceless people spreading the rumour were enemies of the Asante Kingdom, and were engaging in the act to create tension and panic.

“Why shouldn’t I be angry when people who don’t respect culture and tradition sit somewhere and concoct false stories that no mean a person than the Asantehene, the occupant of the Golden Stool, is dead which is not true?” he fumed.

“… People who don’t respect tradition are peddling rumours that he had gone to the village, which is not true.

“I speak with Otumfuo on phone twice every day since he left for South Africa. Even just this morning [Thursday morning] I had a hearty chat with the Asantehene. I am therefore devastated about this wild rumour. So, God forbid, if he was dead how come he spoke with me on phone today?

“The rumour is causing panic among the good people of Ghana, and I, Nana Akwasi Agyeman, as a royal of the Golden Stool, I’m coming out to clear the air so that people will be calm.

“The Asantehene is alive and he will be back in Ghana very soon for the detractors of Asanteman to see,” the Ashanti chieftain stated.

According to the enraged former Kumasi Mayor, contrary to the rumour, Otumfuo Osei Tutu was currently in South Africa with his son, Nana Atta Poku.

Read the full text of the interview he had with 'Daily Guide' at his residence located right behind the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi.

DG: Nana Akwasi Agyeman Good afternoon
Okumkom: Good afternoon young man

DG: How do you feel about the raging rumours of the Otumfuo’s demise?

Okumkom: Young man, to be honest with you, I am very sad and angry. I can’t even find the right words to describe the way I feel now. I am even panting for breadth and my blood pressure is even rising.

DG: Why should you be so worked up if you know the rumours are false?

Okumkom: Mr. Reporter, why shouldn’t I be angry when people who don’t respect culture and tradition sit somewhere and concoct false stories about no mean a person than the Asantehene, the occupant of the Golden Stool?

DG: How is the Otumfuo doing and where is his exact location now?

Okumkom: Otumfuo is currently in South Africa for a private visit. He left the shores of Ghana on January 11, 2014 and he would be back in the country very soon. The King left the country in good health and he is still as strong as a fiddle in South Africa.

DG: If the Otumfuo is alive and strong, what do you think could have triggered these ‘wild rumours’ as you put it?

Okumkom: This is the reason for my anger. The King is alive and strong, yet some faceless people who don’t respect tradition are peddling rumours that he has gone to the land beyond, which is not true.

I speak with Otumfuo on phone twice every day since he left for South Africa. Even just this morning I had a hearty chat with the Asantehene. I am therefore devastated about this wild rumour.

So, God forbid, if he was dead how come he spoke with me on the phone today? I am talking about this morning [Thursday morning]. By the close of the day, the Asantehene will call me again on phone to ask about how I am doing.

DG: Do you have any person or group in mind that could be behind this speculation?

Okumkom: They can’t show their faces because they know for sure that they cannot stand the great might of Asanteman. They are cowards so they are operating from behind the scenes just to cause unnecessary panic.

DG: What is Asanteman doing to deal with the situation that has obviously gone out of hand?

Okumkom: I am a proud nephew of the Asantehene, so I have taken it upon myself to investigate it so that those behind this wicked act would be smoked out and face justice once and for all to serve as deterrent to others.

These people are not just enemies of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, they are enemies of Asanteman, and I will do everything within my power to deal with them ruthlessly. The Asantehene is far above this matter, so I will personally handle it and at the end of it all, those behind the false rumour would never forget what hits them.

I know for sure that Nananom [the chiefs] in Asanteman will definitely take action, but personally, I will also strike at the perpetrators who are enemies of the Asante Kingdom and the Golden Stool.

DG: You sound like you are planning on some drastic actions that may border on illegality, what exactly are you planning to do to the perpetrators when you finally lay hands on them?

Okumkom: I will not do anything illegal; I respect the laws of the land, but I can promise you that those behind the rumour would not forget the harsh experience that they would face when I lay my hands on them.

If they don’t respect authority, they should understand that Asanteman holds Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the occupant of the Golden Stool, in high esteem and nobody can tarnish the image of the Asantehene and go scot-free.

DG: Are you planning some supernatural punishment?

Okumkom: I can’t tell you everything, but what I can say is that, the Asantehene is powerful and highly respected across the world. Therefore, it is a taboo in Asanteman for anybody to peddle falsehood about him.

DG: Is the Otumfuo aware of the wild rumour making the rounds about him?

Okumkom: Whether he is aware or not is not necessary, the most important thing is that the King is alive and in very good health in South Africa as I speak with you now. I spoke with him this morning and we will speak again this evening.

The rumour is causing panic among the good people of Ghana and I, Nana Akwasi Agyeman, as a royal of the Golden Stool, I am coming out to clear the air so that people will be calm. The Asantehene is alive and he will be back in Ghana very soon for the detractors of Asanteman to see. Long live Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, long live Asanteman and long live Ghana.

Source: I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr., Kumasi/D-Guide