A royal historian affiliated with the Asantehene, Osei Bonsu Sarfo Kantanka, has shared with the BBC the proper protocol for criticizing the overlord of the Ashanti Kingdom.
He emphasized the importance of involving the queen mother in such matters, stating, “You go through the queen mother – she is the only person who can rebuke him. If you don’t go through the queen mother and instead do it yourself, then you’re in trouble”.
His remarks follow journalist Afia Pokua’s criticisms of the Asantehene regarding his management of ethnic tensions and her dissatisfaction with the deference shown to him by politicians.
During an interview with Mona Gucci on local channel Onua TV, Pokua remarked on the perceived dominance of the Asante community, asserting,
“Even the president bowed to show respect to the chief,” Pokua said in an interview with Mona Gucci earlier this month on local channel Onua TV.
She added, “Asante is not the whole of Ghana. If you are only thinking about Asante, they can amend the laws so that you can separate yourself from the rest of the country.”
Pokua’s statements sparked significant backlash, with many perceiving them as disrespectful towards the revered Asantehene.
In light of the public reaction, she made a visit to the Asantehene’s residence, Manhyia Palace, in Kumasi, to issue an unconditional apology.
Despite having apologized previously on social media and during a live television broadcast, she felt compelled to seek forgiveness in person.
Accompanied by elders and dressed in black, Afia Pokua and Mona Gucci knelt before the palace to express their contrition.
However, her apology was rebuffed by the Asantehene’s representatives, who instructed her to leave.
Furthermore, Osei Bonsu Sarfo Kantanka criticized Pokua for her implication that the elderly Otumfuo Nana Osei Tutu II was hard of hearing, asserting that such language would not be deemed constructive criticism even when directed at an ordinary person.
“If you use such words even with an ordinary person, it would not be taken as constructive criticism.”
He reiterated that Pokua’s lack of adherence to proper protocol was the crux of the issue.
For her apology to be valid, he suggested she should have approached the Agona traditional authority accompanied by her parents and representatives from the TV station that aired her critical comments.
“If the apology were accepted, the Agona chief would then convey the message to the Asantehene, and a date would be set for her to formally apologize at Manhyia Palace,” the historian elaborated.