The venerable 300-year-old cola tree, associated with Komfo Anokye, was felled by an unidentified individual in Feyiase.
The accused party in the felling of the historic Okomfo Anokye tree, Solomon Nkansah, remains in police custody due to his inability to meet the GH¢20,000 bail conditions.
Despite being granted bail with a surety by the Atasemanso Circuit Court, Nkansah has been unsuccessful in securing his release, almost 14 days after the court’s ruling. During his second appearance on Thursday (23 November), police prosecutors requested additional time to pursue investigations and explore potential accomplices.
Presided over by Gloria Mensah-Bonsu, the court granted the request and adjourned the case to 5 December.
Authorities initiated a manhunt for those responsible for cutting down the renowned 300-year-old kola tree, revered for its believed healing powers, in the Bosomtwe District town of Feyiase.
The tree, deeply rooted in the Ashanti Kingdom’s history, marked the spot where the legendary priest Komfo Anokye is said to have spat a kola nut in the early 1700s. Local beliefs attribute healing properties to the black and white seeds of the kola tree.
The tree, strategically positioned in the middle of a major road connecting Kumasi to Lake Bosomtwe, was spared during highway construction and was a cherished tourist attraction.
The public expressed outrage as images of the felled tree circulated online, and the motive behind its recent destruction remains unclear.
The Battle of Feyiase, a pivotal historical event in the Ashanti Kingdom’s struggle for independence against the Denkyira Kingdom, occurred at the same site.
The tree’s presence served as a tangible link to the region’s history and cultural heritage. Osei-Bonsu Safo Kantanka, the director of research at Manhyia Palace, underscored the tree’s historical significance in the narrative of the Ashanti Kingdom.