‘Chief’ Fined 12 Sheep At Manhyia


Baffuor Asare Owusu Amankwatia
A self-styled Zongo chief in Kumasi has been ordered by the Bantamahene, Baffuor Asare Owusu Amankwatia to pay a fine of 12 sheep for riding in a palanquin .

The name of the accused person was not immediately known, but sources at the palace said he rode in the palanquin during the recent Gangara event at Alabar in Kumasi.

When contacted, the Bantamahene, Baffuor Asare Owusu Amankwatia, conformed that indeed the man had been slapped with a fine for riding in a palanquin.

He however declined to give further details of the matter.

The Bantamahene, who is acting on behalf of Otumfuo, Osei Tutu II and currently in London, found the self-styled chief guilty and initially imposed the fine on him in the presence of Nananom, sources said.

The accused person, who was remorseful, hurriedly admitted his guilt at the Kumasi Traditional Council meeting on Tuesday and pleaded for a reduction.

The Bantamahene and the chiefs accepted his apology and eventually reduced the fine to 12 sheep and sternly cautioned him not to ride in palanquin again.

According to reports, the self-styled chief was carried in the palanquin from the Manhyia Roundabout to Alabar, venue of the Islamic ceremony to mark the end of the Ramadan.

Per Asante tradition, subjects are not permitted to ride in a palanquin amid the drumming and dancing.

Even some chiefs in the Ashanti Kingdom are not allowed to ride in palanquins during public events.

The weird behaviour of the self-styled chief, who is said to belong to the Tijania Movement, was deemed offensive and disrespectful by the Manhyia Palace.

Minutes after the selfstyled chief mounted the palanquin, reports spread through the city.

The Zongo chiefs in Kumasi, upon hearing the news, were incensed by the development and quickly ordered the man, who was elegantly dressed, to get down from the palanquin.

The Zongo chiefs then reported the incident to the Nsumankwahene, who in turn reported the case to the Kumasi Traditional Council.

The Council summoned the man to appear before it to explain his conduct.

The self-styled chief was reportedly reprimanded by the angry Asante chiefs after which the Bantamahene ordered him to slaughter 12 sheep to pacify the gods for breaching a traditional norm.

From i.F. Joe Awuah Jnr., Kumasi

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