OKYEHENE ACTED INAPPROPRIATELY AS A CHIEF, A LEADER AND A TRADITIONALIST

When death occurs, there is usually an impact on the family and friends of the deceased, the magnitude often depends on whether death was expected or unexpected. Africans ordinarily do not encourage the contemplation of death or any discussion about their own or their loved ones’ death.

The Okyehene got it wrong this time. In most cases, death is often looked at from both religious and cultural perspective in Africa. There are certain religious and cultural principles guiding how we handle issues about death and its announcement. Africans do not announce death of a Chief or a King same way we do when it involves an ordinary person. We use phrases such as “He has kicked the bucket”, “He has gone to visit his ancestors” “He has slept on his left hand” “He has gone to bring some herbs” “He has gone to his village” etc. We accord special respect to our Kings and Chiefs because of the positions they occupy and expect them to reciprocate that with good leadership and respect for our culture and traditions. A chief speaks through his linguist when it concerns sensitive issues such as death, war, abdication etc. Chiefs seldom speak about death in public.

What the Okyehene did (his narratives) is not different from taking horrible pictures of accident victims and posting them on your walls for public consumption.

Will the Okyehene avail himself for interrogation if subsequent development lands the matter in court? Using the death of a former President of the country to express his anger over lack of ambulances in the system is inappropriate. The Okyehene could have used the recent accident involving his convoy to express his frustration. Making the public know he was present at the gym when the incident happened was even inappropriate. Our elders say “The matter ends with our elders last statement”. He should have managed his anger keep what he witnessed for future discussions. Putting it out at this time when the family is in mourning their son, father, uncle etc is unfortunate and inappropriate.

Yes, the lack of ambulances in the system must be addressed and raising concerns about the problem is right and appropriate. But the reality is that we cannot position ambulances at every spot in the country. We don’t know and cannot predict where the next incident will occur (God forbid anyway). Using private vehicles to convey accident victims is no news. Circumstances may demand that improvisation.