A tree believed to have been planted by Okomfo Anokye, the legendary priest of the Golden Stool, was uprooted by strong winds in Asante Agona, Ghana, on November 3. The tree, estimated to be around 336 years old, was a significant landmark in the town, with residents gathering at the site to witness the aftermath. According to local accounts, the tree was planted around 1690, although this date has not been independently verified.
The uprooting of the tree has been interpreted by some residents as a spiritual sign, with the tree's roots in the air and its crown on the ground. The incident has sparked concerns among residents and traditional authorities, with many awaiting a statement from the Manhyia Palace or the Agona traditional authorities. However, no official statement had been made public by Wednesday evening.
Okomfo Anokye is a revered figure in Asante tradition, credited with calling the Golden Stool down from the sky and setting it on the knees of Osei Tutu, the founder of the kingdom. He served as Osei Tutu's diviner, diplomat, and constitutional adviser, and was made Omanhene of Agona, northeast of Kumasi. Anokye's descendants served Asante kings as diviners, according to the Encyclopaedia Africana.
The fallen tree is not the first to be linked to Okomfo Anokye to be lost in recent years. In November 2023, a cola tree at Feyiase, on the Kumasi-Lake Bosomtwe road, was cut down overnight by an unknown person. Legend has it that the Feyiase tree sprouted where Anokye spat out a cola nut he was chewing. Pacification rites were performed, and a 20-year-old driver was arrested and pleaded not guilty at the Atasemanso Circuit Court.
Scientists from the CSIR-Forestry Research Institute of Ghana intervened to save the Feyiase tree, grafting buds onto the surviving stump and wounding its roots to make it sprout. The incident has raised concerns about the preservation of trees linked to Okomfo Anokye and the cultural significance they hold. The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has emphasized the importance of safeguarding tradition and cultural heritage.
The Agona traditional stool, the Okomfo Anokye Amoampon stool, had been vacant since the death of Nana Frimpong Anokye Ababio in 2022. However, a new chief, Obiri Komfo Anokye Boakye, was installed in June this year, and swore the oath of allegiance to the Asantehene at Manhyia Palace. The Asantehene emphasized that the Agona stool carries real responsibilities for safeguarding tradition and advising on matters of governance.
The uprooting of the centuries-old tree has sparked a renewed focus on the cultural significance of Okomfo Anokye and the importance of preserving Ghana's cultural heritage. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting and preserving significant landmarks and cultural symbols.
Key points
- The tree was believed to be around 336 years old and was a significant landmark in Asante Agona.
- Okomfo Anokye is credited with calling the Golden Stool down from the sky and setting it on the knees of Osei Tutu, the founder of the kingdom.
- The incident has sparked concerns among residents and traditional authorities, with many awaiting a statement from the Manhyia Palace or the Agona traditional authorities.
