DIPO AND KLAMA ARE NOT THE SAME

 DIPO AND KLAMA ARE NOT THE SAME

This year, I drew closer to the Kloyosipklemi festival of the chiefs and people of Yilo Krobo. I made sure I was in town around that period and participated in some of the activities including the pilgrimage to the ancestral home, the Krobo Mountain. I was also at the grand durbar on the invitation of Nene Amoatey Akpatsu Azza VI, Divisional Chief of Nyewer.

Folks, I was awed by a lot of things especially at the durbar, the most enchanting was the klama performance. I was busy savouring the moment; the nice tune; the rich, poetic and historical lyrics and feeding my eyes with the dazzling beauty of the nubile ‘girls’ performing the klama dance when snippets of a conversation between some lads seated next to me hit my eardrum.

My attention shifted to them momentarily. It was obvious from the line of argument that one of them didn’t know the difference between dipo and klama. To one of the guys, once he saw the ladies dressed as they did (in beads, cloths, headgear and dangling loin cloths), and dancing, they were performing dipo.

Nothing was more surprising than the confidence with which the dude was advertising his ignorance about the subject matter. I wasn’t invited to join the conversation so I turned my attention back to the refreshing sight the event was offering me and I made sure I had a single-minded focus on the dancers from that point.

One of the dancers noticed I was keenly interested in what they were doing so she flashed a cheerful grin in my direction and I also winked in acknowledgement. You see your life, you want me to tell you more about that, right? It’s pure ‘toli’, so let’s get back to the essence of this post, the difference between dipo and klama.

Dipo is a whole rite involving different rituals while klama is simply a cultural or folk dance. Let me offer a more detailed explanation.

DIPO: Dipo is a nubility rite - of ancient renown - performed by some of the the Dangme speaking tribes of this beautiful country of ours called Ghana. It involves a  chain of rituals performed for nubile girls with the belief that through the rite, the girls transition into adulthood and obtain ‘full status’ in the tribal community. (Definition partly stolen from Hugo Huber’s book, The Krobo).

Fact is, dipo has come to be associated more with my people, Krobos, than any of the other Dangme tribes. The whole rite has however been greatly impacted by Christianity, formal education, modernity and other socio-economic factors to the extent that the fear and reverence it evoked in the past have waned considerably.

Now, views over its relevance and justifications for its continuous performance are quite mixed. I must say that throughout its changing phases, dipo has aroused debates and generated diverse opinions and controversies which have led to various forms of (usually) skewed analysis and interpretations by different schools of thought. To cut it short, dipo is a whole rite involving a set of rituals.

KLAMA: Klama, on the other hand, is an indigenous dance of Krobo origin, performed mainly at festive occasions - such as during the performance of dipo rites, marriage ceremonies - and rarely at somber events such as funerals of traditional priests, and chiefs.

The klama rhythm or sound is composed of beats from a set of drums, gong and a casaba of gourd or beaded gourd, known locally as fau.

The dance move is characterized by a slow graceful, rhythmic body movement and the shuffling of feet. Typically, the left arm is raised horizontally a little above the waist level, and the wrist is wriggled mildly in tune with the beat while the right arm, which points to the ground swings gently in conformity.

Simply put, klama is a cultural/folk dance and not a ritual or rite.

Click this link for a typical klama rendition: https://youtu.be/j4ZzuCIx7AM. I remember recording and uploading this video about five years ago during an event at the Roman Catholic Parish, Agormanya.

So nobody will begrudge you if you say klama and dipo move hand in hand, but note that they are NOT the same. 

My 2 by 4 explanation. You can add on for purposes of education, folks.

NB: First published Saturday 19th December, 2020

BOOK ON OKLEMEKUKU AZZU MATE KOLE LAUNCHED

• Braille version for the visually impaired also available

A hundred and forty two (142) paged book on the life and legacies of late Oklemekuku Azzu Mate Kole II, the fourth Konor (Paramount Chief) of Manya Krobo was, on Thursday, launched to set in motion a four-day programme lined up to mark the silver jubilee celebration of his demise.

The colourful and culturally rich event, graced by traditional rulers including Nene Sakite II, Konor of Manya Krobo who also chaired the programme, was part of a memorial lecture held at the GNAT (Teachers’) Hall, Accra on the theme, “25 years of the end of a remarkable life and the end of an era - lessons, inspirations and the challenges of a state”.

Titled “Oklemekuku Azzu Mate Kole, a great king and statesman”, the book which also has a braille version to serve the visually impaired segment of the public, was written by Dr. Peter Kwabena Obeng-Asamoa, the Executive Director of the Ghana Blinds’ Union.

Dr. Peter Obeng-Asamoa, Exec. Director, Ghana Blind's Union

In an interviews, Dr. Obeng-Asamoa, who is a grandson of the late king said “I realised there was so much about this man that was unknown, including his impressive contributions to the development of Ghana and of his native people of Manya Krobo”. “Because of my experience as a visually challenged person, I also wanted to demonstrate that God could use anyone to do anything - disability can’t be the end of one’s life”, he stated.

Mr. James Otieku of the University of Ghana who reviewed the book and gave highlights at the launch said, “The writer demonstrated great literary acumen. He traced the history of the Krobos; the role played by key people in the growth of the Manya Krobo state, the transition from a theocratic rule to monarchy and the importance of chieftaincy as an institution in the socio-economic development of the people. He also gave a detailed account of the early years of the man, Oklemekuku - his exploits growing up and the legacies he left his people and the country Ghana. “I therefore recommend this book to the citizenry, specifically to leadership and governance students”, he added.

Launching the book, Mr. Eric Yankah, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of YANKAH Links, lauded the writer for making provision for the visually challenged, whom he described as a core segment of the public but who are often not taken care of in literary works like this. “This is a loud call on all authors to consider this key section of the population in their works”, he emphasized.

The Minister for Tourism and Creative Arts, Hon. Dzifa Ablah Gomashie, in a statement read on her behalf by Ms. Olivia Opoku, Director of Research and Statistics of the ministry, eulogise Nene Azzu Mate Kole and said “Nene epitomized his culture and took chieftaincy to its peak. I am excited at the fact that there is now a detailed documentation on his life and work which will not only help develop our culture but transmit it too”, she said.

Other dignitaries who graced the event were the La Mantse, Nii Kpobi Tettey Tsuru III; Dr. K. B. Asante, a retired diplomat; Rev. Samuel Atter Odjelua, Director of Ecumenical and Social Relations of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana; Nana Aplam II, Queen of Manya Krobo; Okpatakpla (Nene) Sasraku IV, divisional chief of Manya, Nene Asare Tekpor of Akwenor, Manya Krobo, among others. 

Grateful if you could leave your comment below. You can also follow me on twitter @henkingklonobi or reach me via klonobi2007@gmail.com or 0266 000 747.

NENE AZZU MATE KOLE WAS A GREAT KING AND STATESMAN - PROF. SAM ADDO

Prof. Sam. Tetteh Addo, University of Ghana

Professor Samuel Tetteh Addo, of the Department of Geography and Resource Development of the University of Ghana has described the late Oklemekuku (Nene) Azzu Mate Kole II, immediate past Konor (Paramount Chief) of Manya Krobo as a great King and Statesman worth celebrating.

He said, “the height attained by late Oklemekuku in his days as well as his contributions in the development of his native Manya Krobo and the nation Ghana – which were duly recognized with awards such as the Kings’ Medal for Chiefs (KMC) in 1942; Order of the British Empire (1948); the Order of the Volta (OV) in 1969; Doctor of Law LLD, University of Ghana in 1975, among others- were phenomenal and ought to be an inspiration to the youth and leaders of today”.

Prof. Addo who is a retired educationist and presently a part-time lecturer at the graduate level of the Department said this on Thursday in Accra during his lecture to mark the Silver Jubilee anniversary of the passing of Oklemekuku who ruled between 1939 and 1990. The lecture, chaired by Nene Sakite II, Konor of Manya Krobo was on the topic, “Oklemekuku Azzu Mate Kole: A great king and a statesman”.

He attributed Oklemekuku’s commitment, courage and confidence to the training he acquired from great institutions like the Achimota College where “he imbibed a well-blended mix of the best of Ghanaian culture and relevant aspects of western civilization, as well as the discipline of mind acquired from the Gold Coast Police Force where he has been serving at the rank of an Assistant Superintendent of Police before his enthronement”.

He noted that Oklemekuku, on ascending the throne, quickly reorganised the administrative machinery of the Manya Krobo State and established the stool treasury with an efficient revenue collection system which saw revenue rising threefold in three years. This provided him with the initial capital to carry out his development agenda in the fields of education, agriculture, water and sanitation, road works and transport.

Out of this revenue, the state ran its own transport service and awarded scholarships to students. He also garnered massive communal labour through his concept of self-help to extend feeder roads that linked the farmlands to the two principal food market centres of Asesewa and Sekesua, resulting in a significant increase in farm size, tonnage of food crops assembled in the market centres as well as the revenue that was generated from the market tolls. Additionally, Nene enlisted the Field Engineers of the Ghana Army to construct bridges across the Akrum river at Abuachau and Mlegedu at the cost of 9,500 Euros and this was paid from the state treasury.

In the area of education, Nene initiated the establishment of the Manya Krobo Senior High School to replace the Presbyterian Boys School (PRESEC) which was relocated in 1968 from Odumase-Krobo to its current location at Legon, Accra.  With the aid of notable personalities like late R. P Djabanor, he set up the Akro State Schools, two of which have blossomed into the current Asesewa Senior High School in the Upper Manya Krobo District and the Akro Senior High School in the Lower Manya Krobo Municipality. The rest of the schools, dotted across the Manya Krobo state, were absorbed by government as state schools, Prof. noted.

He said Nene’s interest in promoting formal education, partly influenced by his membership of the Central Advisory Committee on Education (1946-1951), saw him releasing land for the establishment of the Mount Mary Training College and also for the University of Ghana’s Agricultural Research station at Kpong.

Another notable handiwork of Nene was the holding of the biggest provincial Agricultural show at Laasi, Odumase-Krobo in 1947- attended by the governor of the Gold Coast, Sir Allen Burns, among others- which was a direct reflection of the improvement in the socio-economic activities of his people. 

On the national stage, Nene displayed his statesmanship by serving in the Legislative Assembly between 1947 and 1954. He was also a member of the Gold Coast delegation to the Lancaster House, London in 1948 which made a case for self-rule and was also a member of other such Boards and Committees including the Management Board of the West African Cocoa Research Institute and the West African Institute of Science and Industry, (1942-1945).

The Konor, Prof. Addo noted, also chaired a Committee set up by the Joint Provincial Council of Chiefs to examine issues affecting the cocoa industry and came out with the Mate Kole report which led to the passage of the Cocoa Marketing Board Ordinance in 1947 and paved the way for the establishment of the current Cocoa Marketing Board. Between 1949 and 1973, he served on all the constitution drafting and approving bodies; he was on the Council of the University of Ghana between 1958 and 1960 and served as the Board Chairman of his alma mater, Achimota on three different occasions

Apart from his lead role in the establishment of the Akosombo dam (Volta River Project) and an earlier one which gave birth to the Kpong Water Works which saw the flow of treated water to his people in 1954, Nene became the Deputy Chairman of the Chieftaincy Secretariat in 1966 and Deputy Speaker of the Blay Constituent Assembly in 1969 which discussed the National Constitution of the Second Republic. It was from this position that he advocated for the establishment of the National House of Chief as the mouth piece of the traditional rulers.

Grateful if you could leave your comment below. You can also follow me on twitter @henkingklonobi or reach me via klonobi2007@gmail.com or 0266 000 747.

ONE ONE DRAW; THE "BUGA BUGA" CAMPAIGN MESSAGE FOR 2016

My personal view of some events, how they played out and are likely to influence the upcoming elections and future events is the subject matter of this piece.

When the voter dictates the tune

The next turn on our right and we are in 2016, the year most of our politicians are dreading.  That is the year in which they virtually dance to any tune you call as a voter especially when you flag your voters’ ID in their faces. The government and all persons in positions of authority gained through the ballot box tremble at the mention of election year.  

As we approach the election year, I am reminded of a virtual noose around our neck. Much as many Ghanaians wish for the emergence of a third potent and marketable force that will widen the options and possibly take our necks out of this NPP-NDC albatross, there is something called reality which is difficult to escape, especially for people who house objective minds in their skull. It is sad but the fact is, “No such dependable force seems to show in the horizon, at least none I have seen yet.

The situation at hand is like a coin; it is two sided. You turn left and you are facing the spine-tingling devil, you turn right and you have the deep blue sea to contend with. The politicians are retreating to the drawing board to craft and execute workable strategies if the hope of “occupying their seats” (and the flagstaff) house from 2017 is to be achieved. Active campaign will start in earnest and will gradually hit third to fifth gear as December 7, 2016 inches closer.

But like cars which run on fuel, political campaigns revolve mainly around messaging. The more relevant and appealing your message is, the more your chances of making disciples which could eventually translate into the much needed thumbprints that vest you with the mandate of the people.

Tactically perching here on my rooftop, armed with my quill (pen) and old-fashioned telescope, I see two “buga buga” type of messages that promise to appeal to electorates in the Krobo region, one each for the two leading parties, the NPP and NDC and I can bet my bottom cedi that these messages will feature prominently during the peak campaign season.  Any attentive politician down there should long have spotted these hot messages that could easily work on the minds of my people.

Tasty hamburger for NDC communicators and propagandists

A few days ago, Krobo youth sprang up in a near spontaneous outburst against the minority in parliament and the NPP in particular for its plan to frustrate the passage of a bill that will cause the establishment of a university in the Krobo area. According to the minority side, championed by the NPP, they were dissatisfied with and disappointed in government’s perceived politically-informed choice of Somanya and Donkorkrom for the siting of the university.

From the look of things, if they had their way, they would have scooped the palm wine out of the “Krobo calabash” and given it to the people of Koforidua in the New Juaben municipality, riding on the argument of precedents which have shown that most of the public universities took off in the regional capitals, and so must this new one.

If you ask me, the NPP created some disaffection of a sort for itself among a section of the Krobo citizenry. For a party which is still struggling and hoping to break the dominance of the NDC in that zone, (bare fact and not fiction) any sense of opposition (which is the unfortunate signal sent to many) to a project like this that has the prospects of developing the area is sure to affect its fortunes, and for a long time to come, the party would struggle to explain its action and intention to the people.

Whether the Elephant folks like it or not, their rather unfortunate last minute actions and utterance on the project was a free tasty hamburger for NDC communicators and propagandists who are surely going to package and trumpet that to the Krobo community come 2016. May be the NPP must start thinking about a response.

The Umbrella’s weak point, a counter message for the NPP

I have a message

The NDC has an Achilles heel too and any smart shooter in the NPP would aim nowhere but that weak spot, at least it will appeal to a number of Krobos. It is common knowledge that the Manya Krobo state has, over the past years, reduced in size under PNDC/NDC government-made laws. As if Manya Krobo was too big to be administered as one traditional area and two constituencies, its communities were always the target any time government (under the NDC) thought of creating or adding onto a district, not new in Manya, but outside. 

At different points in time, government cut well known Krobo communities like Asedja, Meryiwa, Osubeng, Kakama SK, Miaso and Klumhe Akontaa to help create the Fanteakwa district and followed in a rapid succession with similar acts that saw known Krobo villages like Adjina Dornor, Sapor, Manya Yoyim, Sedorm, Yerniama and Dawa Toklo (the last two of which are prominently featured in some Klama/Dipo songs) cut away and aligned to the then newly created Asuogyaman district. 

Who said Manya Krobo too should not have three or four districts and constituencies and, for that matter, three or four MPs if its land size and population permit that? Wouldn’t that have increased our share of voice in parliament and influence in the corridor of power, if for nothing at all?

As if that was not enough, the same government continued what seems like (or perhaps rightly so) a deliberate policy to reduce the size of the Manya state and attempted illegally ceding Akuse (and all of its seven electoral areas) from Manya in the Eastern Region to the Shai-Osudoku district in the Greater Accra region, this time under a disguised Electoral Area re-demarcation exercise. Ask yourself why this is happening this number of times and repeatedly under the same government.  

First it was Manya Krobo losing lands to Fanteakwa and then Asuogyaman and now Shai-Osudoku. And who said government will ever cut another district (if it is the practice) and add to Manya to help meet the requirement for a third district/constituency? It can only suggest that the NDC, after all, is not as caring as it portrays. Could this be a deliberate (wicked and if you like anti-Manya) policy to reduce its size and influence as is wildly perceived?

Till date, the dust that was stirred by that veiled government-back exercise at Akuse is yet to settle and in fact may even be stirred again as we approach the September assembly election during which the two sides (Manya and Osudoku) are sure to lock horns again over Natriku, the last of the seven electoral areas yet to be returned to the former.

I am not moving an inch from my current position just so I can have a good view of the drama that will unfold between now and the elections. I shall return but until I do so, be reminded that these are my thoughts and not yours. Let the objective reader make meaning of this piece.

The writer is a journalist (an activist writer) and a blogger and can be reached via klonobi2007@gmail.com. You can follow him on twitter with the handle @henkingklonobi

GIVING CHIEFTAINCY A BAD NAME, THE YILO KROBO EXAMPLE (PART 1)

Akatabai (The Royal Umbrella), one of the many symbols of chieftaincy in Ghana

Chieftaincy is a big thing in our part of the world; it is noble and sacred. To say we as Africans and Ghanaians have a huge reverence for it is to state the obvious. The average chief in Ghana commands great respect, the type that ordinarily would not be accorded him in his private life.

Sword, another of the symbols associated with chieftancy

Once you are made a chief, your social class changes and you must be respected and treated as such, irrespective of your age and previous social standing. That is the level of prestige and dignity surrounding the institution.

Same was the level of political power and authority chiefs wielded; it was that big but the bitter truth is that the emergence of other forms of leadership and governance like democracy came to limit their powers, confining them to a relatively smaller area of authority mainly in the realm of traditional leadership.  

That notwithstanding, they still play some key roles in running our society as guaranteed in our Constitution. Among several others roles, they are the guardians of our rich and gorgeous tradition and culture which identify us as a people. That aside, many are the chiefs who have gone the extra mile to redefine their customary role and given it an even more attractive contemporary flavor. The more progressive ones have moved beyond being ceremonial figures with occasional honour and pleasure of palanquin ride and have turned change makers, impacting the very lives of their people.

While it is my wish, and of many other well-meaning Ghanaians that this pleasant appeal about the institution is sustained, it is regrettable to say that our actions and inactions are instead stripping the institution of this reverence and giving it a bad name.

More explicitly put, we are tainting the name of the institution and virtually dragging it into the mud in a manner that should be a source of heartache to culture enthusiasts like me. How many of us will be bold enough to contest the claim that chieftaincy has almost become synonymous with dispute, antagonism and hostility?   

There are raging chieftaincy disputes all over the country that have turned our traditional areas into hot conflict zones, and given our security agencies tough time; I dare say we have even lost count of these because hardly does a week pass without reports of aggression over the accession to one skin or stool.

Smock , better known as Batakari used by chiefs in the northern part of the country

We all saw the Abudus and Andanis of Dagbon take on each other in a recurrent strife with the resultant loss of lives and destruction of properties. The Ga state has had to literally come to a standstill due to the rumpus over succession. The Kumawu, Tuobodom, Kade, Nungua, Akyem Swedru, Yeji, Wa, Nadowli, Suhyen, Abease, Senchi, Buipe, Nakpanduri, Brekum, and Akyem Kotoku areas all took turn to give Ghanaians needless headache over one form of chieftaincy dispute or the other. The violence that rocked Afloa, Bunkpurugu, Bimbilla etc. and attendant fatalities left many with nagging questions if chieftaincy is doing us more harm than good in its current form and practice.

Just a couple of days ago, Yilo Krobo took over the media space with negative, screaming and disgraceful headlines and for several days, the Akuse Police Command had to keep watch over lives and properties. We are also reading about how two chiefs have sprung up each claiming legitimacy to the Bolga skin and the title of Bolga Naba as captured in the Monday May 11, 2015 edition of the Daily Graphic newspaper. The list can go on and on and on from region to region and from one traditional area to another. How much we spend each time to maintain law and order in this conflict zones hardly come into the equation and we bother very little to quantify it. How sad !!!

Our courts are choking with these litigations that have long proven retrogressive and needless and yet very little is being learnt from that, otherwise why would the people of Yilo Krobo plunge their hitherto peaceful Sra community and the Somanya township into this unnecessary  tension and draw dagger over the selection of a successor to the late paramount Chief, Kpetekple Dautey Ologo despite the fact that useful lessons are all over the street in neighbouring Manya Krobo Traditional Area whose people regrettably went down a similar lane just some few year ago?

The traditional stool used by chiefs and queenmothers

The demise of the legendary Krobo King, Oklemekuku Azu Mate-Kole in 1990 set the Manya Krobo State on a road of litigation such that for eight years, the stool remained vacant; this came with its own challenges though the dispute was less violent. But admittedly, that was a sad point in history that every well-meaning Krobo regretted, not when seventeen (17) years after the installation of a successor, the reigning Konor, the smoke of that dispute is still evidently hanging in the air and suffocating us. Believe it or not, there are visible scars that are looking us in the face to remind us of a painful past and to teach us that never again must we toe that lane.    

It would be expected that close as our Yilo brothers are, and falling into the same ethnic bracket with us, they would pick useful lessons and guard their beard with water having seen ours burn with disastrous consequences. But here we are with a worse form of the dispute shamefully and shockingly laced with poisonous bitterness and aggression. Brothers have turned sworn enemies and what used to be a calm neighborhood full of communal spirit and fellow feeling turned into a security zone under armed Police guard and protection because the people (royal?) whose right it is to rule the area disagree over who the next person is to ascend the throne.  

The Nuer and Akrobetto gates are at each other’s throat, claiming the right to install a successor following the passing of the Konor, Nene Ologo, which logically should close a chapter in the history of the reign of the Ologo gate. While the Nuers are claiming lineage to the stool and insisting it is their turn, the Akrobetos are wild with their argument that the Nuers are not an integral part of the house and so cannot claim ancestry to the stool. What is more? There is a new twist to their argument to the effect that the choice made by the Nuers, who has since been installed, has no direct and proven paternal link to the stool.

The truth is and can only be one. Which of these two gates is being greedy? Are the Nuers usurping a role and position that is not theirs and thus pointlessly visiting anarchy on the people of Yilo Krobo or the Akrobetos are dishonorably and jealously denying the former what is rightfully theirs?

The truth should long have been established (if already not known) and strictly gone by, under the direction of the state Elders and/or the Traditional Council (made of the Divisional Chiefs, Asafoatseme, Queenmothers and other such relevant players), but what do we see, a divided house with entrenched positions influenced partly by fleeting self-interest. Why won’t we give the noble institution a bad name and drag it into the gutters with this retrogressive attitude?

Ablade, the royal sandals

Judging from precedents across the country, this divide, this enmity and this broken cord will continue to live with these families and the Yilo state for a long time to come and may even be inherited by upcoming generations.

Isn’t it sad that the living cannot even find a solution to their problems (simple disagreement) and would want to visit their thoughtlessness on the dead who should be taking their deserved rest within the confines of their narrow beds? If we can’t be tolerant and thoughtful enough to sit at the table as kith and kin to resolve our disagreement, why should we go hounding the dead (Nene Ologo) from his sleep far away in the land of our ancestors? If the rumoured exhumation of the remains of the late paramount chief was a cooked story to muddy the waters, then that’s most unfortunate but if indeed it’s true that the tomb was desecrated and the remains “stolen”, then that is even worst and an abomination that should not be taken lightly. 

Seriously, we cannot continue moving in this direction and the earlier this cancerous cell in our society is attended to with all the available prescriptions, the better for us as a people. That is why I find commendable ongoing efforts by the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Culture to fashion out the modalities for the drafting and implementation of succession plan for the various stools and skins. It’s a worthy course and must be embraced by all stakeholders to make it a reality soonest.

Our religious groups like the Christian Council and Local Council of Churches and also the local churches must step out of their traditional role of preaching pure gospel and actively lead the way in negotiations and the use of other alternative dispute resolution methods in situations like this. Yes, the court is there for litigation and we each have the right to initiate any action we deem fit but the road must not always lead there not when it has proven less effective in ensuring lasting peace.

Let's also have prominent sons of the areas rising to the occasion and using their respected position and influence to drive dialogue. For now I pray our Yilo Krobo brothers will have a rethink and revert to a less militant approach to resolving the impasse, at least for the sake of the state. Let the well-meaning Krobo and/or discerning reader make meaning of this piece.

The writer is a journalist and a culture enthusiast. He can be contacted by email via klonobi2007@gmail.com

KROBO CHIEF, 3 OTHERS IN COURT FOR ALLEDGED KIDNAPPING

Nene Agbau Narh III

A Divisional Chiefs of the Manya Krobo Traditional area, Nene Agbau Narh III, is standing trial together with three others in a Koforidua Circuit Court for an alledged act of kidnapping.

He is currently facing trial together with Mr. Peter Sedjordji Narh, Head of Popotia Limestone Land owners; Daniel Tetteh and Nartey alias Narh, all youth of the area who are additionally standing trial for abetment of crime.

Nene Agbau Narh, who is the Divisional Chief for the Djebiam Clan was arraigned before court on Thursday March 12, 2015 for purportedly kidnapping one Samuel Adjie Paditey, an agent of GHACEM, while the latter was on his usual reconnaissance and prospecting activities at the limestone-rich Popotia area, near Yonguase in the Lower Manya Krobo Municipality of the Eastern Region.

Prior to this development, Mr. Paditey was said to have been invited together with the land owners to series of meetings, the last of which was held at the Manya Krobo Customary Lands Secretariat on Thursday February 5, 2015 and instructed by the Chiefs to cease all reconnaissance and prospecting activities since the area in question was not covered by the agreement between the parties.

A trustworthy source indicated that Mr. Paditey and his clients, Ghacem disregarded this directive and have been in active operations there. When on Friday February 20, 2015 the Chiefs had tipoff that Mr. Paditey had defied their directives and was illegally operating in the area in question, Nene Agbau Narh, then acting as the President of the Council dispatched some of his emissaries to summon the former to appear before them. While the messengers were returning from the site with the Mr. Paditey, the Oterkporlu Police had a hint of the issue and swiftly went in to take custody of Mr. Paditey.

He subsequently initiated legal action against Nene and his aides who were then hurled to court on Thursday March 12, 2015.

The four however narrowly escaped remand and were admitted to a GHC 15, 000 bail with two sureties each to reappear on Tuesday March 31, 2015.

Speaking in an interview, the Public Relation Officer (PRO) of the Manya Krobo Traditional Council, Nene Asada Ahor I, who doubles as the Chief of Akuse said, “The unfolding drama between the Council and Ghacem over Popotia is quite a surprise to us because the area is not part of what the Council and the Municipal Assembly legally allotted to Ghacem”. He however declined to comment on the substantive case, adding “We will advise ourselves accordingly after the court’s decision”.

Attempt to reach Mr. Paditey and his counsel for their side of the story yielded no result. 

HOW THE TELECOM CSR WAR BENEFITED ODUMASE-KROBO, MY “VILLAGE”

Zain built Odumase Presby JHS (Top left) and MTN built the rest. Watch the video via this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLVH07UUu1k&list=UU7ljxYzKiZJZYmrQI8c0nLA

I have observed some very positive developments in my “village” and find it interesting writing about. Competition is tough in the telecom sector and this, nobody can dispute; the fight even appears keener in the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) space where these companies are literally stampeding one another to catch the public’s eyes and prove their supremacy.

One after the other, all the major players in the sector have rolled out mind-blowing campaigns and initiatives to prove their responsiveness to societal needs. We have seen them make swift interventions in the lives of many individuals. Several communities across the country have also benefitted immeasurably from this competition (or generosity, better put). Of these, none (I know) benefited more than my hometown, Odumase-Krobo.  

Within a space of 34 months, MTN Ghana went and splashed a “whopping sum of money” in excess of GHC 530,000 in the Lower Manya Krobo Municipality of the Eastern Region alone, building for my people 3 huge and very important facilities that have since pushed the development of the area a notch higher. In September 2012, the Yellow Yellow telecom giant built and furnished an ICT center at Kpong valued at US$100,000.00 and followed in rapid succession with the construction of a six unit (storey) classroom block for the Kodjonya (Millennium) Presby Junior High School, estimated to cost GHC 229,982.00

The MTN ICT center at Kpong, in the Lower Manya Krobo Municipality

A six unit (storey) classroom block for Kodjonya Millenium JHS, Odumase-Korbo, also sponsored by MTN

As if that was not enough to prove itself a responsible corporate citizen, the company sponsored the construction of another edifice, an Accident and Emergency Center for the Atua Government Hospital also in the same municipality- a project that was valued at GHC 200, 000.00. In all, MTN spent not less than 5 billion OLD Ghana cedis (GHC 5, 299, 820) in helping to raise the standard of living of my people.

An MTN sponsored Accident and Emergency center for the Atua Gov. Hospital, Odumase-Korbo

That is really a commendable act and I can’t help but praise the company for this huge intervention. But come to think of it, is this not the work of competition? Why would MTN want to lump together all three facilities in Lower Manya without actually considering the adjourning districts and municipalities which are similarly in need of these amenities? What made Odumase-Krobo the MOST STRATEGIC location to consider? There certainly must be some considerations and I want to believe that Odumase-Krobo was chosen because that’s where Zain (or if you like Airtel’s) praise was/is “loudest”.

From my small corner where I sit now, I see MTN’s move motivated largely by what Zain earlier did in the same community- characterised by massive PR activities- which won the company the heart of many Ghanaians and Krobos in particular.

The boss player (MTN) must be out there on a conscious move to display the depth of its pocket, stamp its superiority over the others in terms of financial clout and ultimately neutralize the WOW feeling Zain has left behind.

In May 2009, Zain, then a new entrant in the Ghanaian telecom industry, followed one of my stories in the Daily Graphic newspaper (published in the back age of the May 7, 2009, edition) which painted the plight of the teachers and pupils of the Odumase Presby JHS in their decaying 1888-built classroom block. The story reported the worsening condition of the school building which had never seen any major renovation since its establishment over 121 year ago. Also captured in the story was that preventable disaster (rainstorm) that hit the school which threw off the rafters and roof of the building, painfully and irreversibly snuffing life out of a class six pupil, Bernard Narteh and injuring several others.  http://thekroboquill.blogspot.com/2014/10/danger-odumase-presby-school-collapsing.html

The state of the Odumase Presby JHS before Zain's intervention. Watch the video via this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLVH07UUu1k&list=UU7ljxYzKiZJZYmrQI8c0nLA

Cutting long story short, Zain literally rushed to Odumase-Krobo on seeing the story and razed to the ground that monster of a classroom block threatening the lives of teachers and students, and built in its place- in real record time- a modern six unit classroom block with several other facilities that hitherto were non extent.

The Odumase Presby JHS block, revived and refreshed by Zain. Watch the video via this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLVH07UUu1k&list=UU7ljxYzKiZJZYmrQI8c0nLA

In a matter of 3 months the school was restored to shape, assuming an enviable position among the comity of schools not only in the community or municipality but the whole of Eastern Region. It could instantly boast a 30-seater computer lab with internet access, a fully furnished library that could also seat 40 students, electricity, water harvesting and storage facility and lots of other additions that made it a modern educational center. And guess what, all this happened during vacation; the pupils walked out of their colonial “mud house” and by the time they returned, a new school block of no mean standard sprung up like mushroom at the same spot.

THe school's new computer lab. Watch the video via this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLVH07UUu1k&list=UU7ljxYzKiZJZYmrQI8c0nLA

If there was any project aside the Touching Lives TV reality show that earned Zain the enviable reputation as responsible company, it was the reconstruction of this school. Truth is that by the time the company was living the shores of Ghana (metamorphosing into what it is today, Airtel) it was still young though but it assumed a leading position in the arena of CSR, literally dictating the CSR tune and setting the pace for the others to follow.

Could this be the same tune MTN danced to? Then Tigo, Glo, Vodafone (and may be Expresso) please let me see you on floor so my people could benefit the more. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLVH07UUu1k&list=UU7ljxYzKiZJZYmrQI8c0nLA

CREDIT: Worked on the pictures together with Hilary Saki Klonene Kodji and Stephen Tetteh Kormoh

“POLITICAL” STATEMENT BY THE PARAMOUNT CHIEF OF MANYA KROBO, The "fallouts" and my disappointments

Is there any difference between these two statements – 1. We vote for you all the time and 2. We WILL ALWAYS/FOREVER vote for NDC?

Nene Sakite II, Konor of Manya Krobo

So the paramount chief of the Manya Krobo Traditional Area, Nene Sakite II was speaking at the commissioning of an extension work by the President John Dramani Mahama at the Kpong Water Works in the Lower Manya Krobo Municipality of the Eastern region when he made a statement to the effect that “…We (the people of Manya Krobo) vote for you all the time…”. This was supposed to be referring to the President and his NDC government.

Per the Konor’s explanation which I sought from him in the heat of a debate that sprouted from his comment, he meant to remind the President that in all previous elections majority of the people of the area preferred and indeed voted more for an NDC candidate than they did any other candidate. It was therefore important that the president and, for that matter, the ruling government gave attention in equal measure or a reasonable one to the myriad of problems in the area.

The next day after the event, he was reported in the media as having pledged he and his people’s everlasting (continuous) support for the ruling government of the NDC. He was quoted as saying “We WILL ALWAYS vote for the NDC” instead of “We vote for you all the time…” which he originally said. http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=340675

Others quoted him as saying “We WILL FOREVER vote for the NDC- Konor of Manya Krobo”. In fact, one newspaper headline read “Krobo Chief leads NDC campaign”. The introduction of three new words- WILL, ALWAYS and FOREVER- into Konor’s statement by the reporters completely gave a different meaning to what the Konor said.

The story as captured by the Daily Guide Newspaper

Putting his original statement (We vote for you all the time) side by side what the media reported (We WILL ALWAYS/FOREVER vote for NDC), admittedly the two are markedly different. The journalists clearly (or perhaps mischievously) MISrepresented the old boy and succeeded, to some extent, in creating a huge disaffection for him.

If for nothing at all, what the old boy said was in the SIMPLE PRESENT and that of the media was in the FUTURE CONTINUOUS (I faintly remember my grammar lessons). That alone should tell you the statements are not the same even if you will disregard the intent/intention behind the words/statement.

The observation by the Konor that his people have voted in the past for the NDC (which is a statement of fact) is not to say that they WILL, ALWAYS and FOREVER vote for the NDC in the future, which is the unfortunate inference the reporters made.

When a few days later the story broke out, many were those who impatiently “demanded the head of the Konor”- and his crime- “mounting a political platform” and declaring open support for the NDC. Hardly did readers give Nene the benefit of the doubt to first listen to the tape/recording to ascertain exactly what he said before passing comments.

The public spewed vituperation on him left right center based on hearsay (what the media reported) and that I find unfortunate. Some people who, in my estimation, should know better also joined the fray of reactions, much to my surprise. 

It is for this same reason that I find disappointing the reaction from the Lower/Upper Manya Krobo constituency executives of the New Patriotic Party; partisan politics seemed to have clouded their judgment and they misfired.

On Tuesday January 6, 2015, they held a press conference in apparent reaction to what in their words was the “purported statement by Nene”; Truth is that, holding a press conference in itself was not entirely a bad idea because they (the executives) should be seen to be active; Yes, they have constituents who may have been anguished by the alledged declaration of support to the NDC by Nene and as such would want to hear from their leadership.

I personally expected the NPP to have done due diligence by first and carefully analyzing the recording and basing their reaction on the exact words of the Konor. What did they do instead? They preferred hinging their reaction on HEARSAY, perhaps to score some cheap political points. I saw the trap in doing that and cautioned against it because by openly condemning the Konor based on what HE IS SAID TO HAVE SAID, the NPP was going to create a huge disaffection for itself; any fair-minded and right thinking Krobo was sure to take such a mal-adjusted reaction with a pinch of salt.

Now, in their kneejerk reaction, not only did they entrench the MISinformation as reported by the media which expectedly fuelled the disaffection (generated more negative comments) for the Konor and Krobos for that matter, they also found themselves caught in the snare, making some misguided/sweeping statements that are themselves open to different interpretations by any critical mind.

In paragraph 4 of page 2 of the NPP’s press statement they said in part that “Since 1992, the electorate in the three Krobo constituencies have always voted according to their conscience and not according to the dictates of any paramount Chief”. Then in paragraph 1, page 3 of the same statement, the NPP said “After voting consistently for the NDC since the inception of the Fourth Republic and having almost nothing to show for it, Krobos are NOW DISCERNING and have decided to change their voting pattern come 2016”.

I smell some contradiction here but that is not the main point I intend to raise. If the NPP is saying that Krobos are NOW discerning, should I understand that to mean that until NOW, Krobos (including my honourable self) were not discerning? Previously, we were doing something else? Isn’t that a polished insult to me, if not to the entire Krobo citizenry? Why, must (majority of) Krobos vote for NPP to prove that we are discerning? Only that will we be seen to be using our God-given intellect/gumption?

Who even said Manya Krobo is made up of 100 percent Krobos? Has the NPP taken the pain to study the composition of the population of the area particularly a highly populated area like Kpong where tribes like Ewe, Loso, Ada, Hausa are known to be in the majority?

Who told the NPP that Krobos have decided to change their voting pattern come 2016? That’s a baseless, sweeping statement there too. You see, there the NPP is, also speaking generally for the Krobo when they have not so been mandated.

What is more?  In the same paragraph (1) of page 3, line 5, 6 and 7, the NPP’s statement said “The Krobos have acknowledged with gratitude how their lives have been positively affected during the NPP era under Ex. President Kufour…”. Which Krobo told this to the NPP? The entire Krobo citizenry?

The NPP further said in the last but one paragraph of page 3 that its “check indicate that the Krobos have decided to vote massively for Nana Addo and the NPP come 2016…”There we go again, another general statement that can’t be made on behalf of the Krobo citizenry. As for me, I will comfortably pitch my camp somewhere and wait to see if this claim will come to pass, only then will I be convinced that they have indeed done some checks and are speaking based on empirical evidence.

Finally the statement urged “all well-meaning people of Manya Krobo to register their strongest objection to the PURPORTED statement”. Purported? Not what the Konor actually said? Hmmmmmm

Personally, I am disappointed at how the party approached the issue and will not hide my feelings; it’s not my nature so to do. Going forward, they may want to be more calculating, if they want to appeal to critical minds. It is my heart-felt wish also that going forward, the Konor will be mindful of his statements, given the different meaning of words. His words should be carefully chosen to carry across exactly what his intent is because borderline statements like this could be dangerous and we are all living witness to it. The Traditional Council must also be up and doing; the issues was left to boil for far too long before they rejoinder was issued. We want to see more proactive steps.

If for any reason my assessment of this issue fell below your expectation, please ignore because I did it in my “ignorance”.  

-END-

Ghanaweb's version of the story 

http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=340675

Daily Guide's version of the story

http://www.dailyguideghana.com/krobo-chief-leads-ndc-campaign/

The rejoinder from the Manya Krobo Traditional Council
http://www.starrfmonline.com/1.1952805

 Below is the NPP's Press Statement

NPP's Press Statement (Page 1)

NPP's Press Statement (page 2)

NPP's Press Statement (Page 3)

NPP's Press Statement (Page 4)

THE REJOINDER FROM THE MANYA KROBO TRADITIONAL COUNCIL

REJOINDER: KROBO CHIEF LEADS NDC CAMPAIGN

The Manya Krobo Traditional Council has taken judicious notice of the content of stories running in the media, reporting Nene Sakite II, Konor of the Manya Krobo Traditional area as having pledged the continuous support of the people of Manya Krobo for the ruling government of the National Democratic Congress.

Nene was delivering his welcome address at the commissioning of an extension work by the President, John Dramani Mahama at the Kpong Water Works in the Eastern Region on Tuesday December 23, 2014.

The thrust and intent of Nene’s statement was that the people of Manya Krobo do vote for the NDC, he was therefore questioning how come a lot of the needs of the people of Manya Krobo have still not been met. This was the spirit in which the statement was made.

While apologizing for the anguish that may have been caused a section of the public as a result of the misrepresentation of facts by the media, it is appropriate that we set the record straight, putting side by side the words of the Konor and what was reported in the media.

It is worth noting that while the Konor made an observation of the fact that “We vote for you all the time,…” (i.e the people of Manya Krobo in the past five general elections have indeed selected an NDC candidate) what has been reported by sections of the media that “We WILL ALWAYS vote for NDC” is a mischievous and a totally inaccurate representation of what the Konor said or intended. The introduction of two new words- WILL and ALWAYS- by the reporters completely gave a different meaning to what the Konor said in his statement. The observation by the Konor that his people have voted in the past for the NDC is not to say that they will vote for the NDC in the future, which is the unfortunate deduction the reporters seek to make.   

In the opening paragraphs of some of the stories in the media, some media houses gave a deliberate twist to the statement and alledged Nene as saying “His people WILL FOREVER vote for the governing National Democratic Congress”. This is patently false. Nowhere in Nene’s speech did he say that his people will FOREVER vote for the NDC.

It is clear that the two statements “We vote for you all the time” and “We WILL ALWAYS vote for you”, are markedly different in meaning. It is unfortunate that anybody could misconstrue the two to mean the same thing, thus leading to the present misunderstanding.

The Konor and the Traditional Council acknowledge the fact that the population of the area is diverse- and election results bare testimony. The people have an unfettered right to freely choose who they want as leaders and this, the Konor and the Council stand to defend. We also want to emphasize that both the Konor and the Council respect the individual will of the people and will grant it as per their political affiliations.

If for any reason the import of the statement varied from the understanding of a section of the public, given the different meanings to the words, and for which reason may have been anguished, the Council regrets it and hopes that this clarification will put the issue to rest.

Sgnd.

Zizingmozingmo Asada Ahor I

Akuse Matse and Public Relations Officer

Manya Krobo Traditional Council

Odumase-Krobo