The two column story headlined ‘Tension in Kumasi’ on the front page of the Statesman says ‘grief, anger and tension have built up into a charged atmostphere in Kumasi following media reports of the passing away of the Asantehene, Otumfo Opoku Ware II.
Deeply offended by rushed reports which have touched cultural sensibilities and violated traditional norms over the management of the death of chiefs, the Ashanti traditional council yesterday summoned an emergency meeting at which journalists were quizzed over their sources of information on Otumfuo’s death.
The paper asserts that the situation at the Manhyia Palace was extremly tense as the Council Presided over by the Bantamahene Bafour Awuh II met to discuss the issue.
It continues that the traditional chiefs decked out in mourning cloths though tight lipped on the state of health of the Asantehene, could not hide their anger and disgust for the offense on a sacred traditional value considered one of the pillars of the institution of chieftancy.
According to an authority on culture, the embargo placed on any report on the passing away of a chief until an official announcement has been made, is to afford the immediate circle of responsible authorities enough time to not only recover from the shock but to put in place the necessary arrangements to enable a peaceful transition.
