Residents of the Kotoku Traditional Area are awaiting an official response from the Kotoku Palace following the public invocation of curses by the Birim Central Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Solomon Brako Kusi, against the Member of Parliament for Akyem Oda, Hon. Alexander Akwasi Acquah.
Two days after the widely circulated incident, many residents say they are surprised that the traditional authorities have yet to publicly comment on the matter, especially given the longstanding prohibition against the invocation of curses within the Kotoku Traditional Area.
The controversy erupted after a viral live video showed the MCE on the banks of a river in Akyem Oda performing what appeared to be a traditional ritual, during which he called on the deities of several rivers and water bodies within the municipality to punish the Akyem Oda MP if the allegations linking him to illegal mining activities, popularly known as galamsey, were false.
The incident immediately sparked widespread debate on social media, with many questioning whether the traditional ban on the invocation of curses in the Kotoku area remains in force.
Residents and opinion leaders say they have been quietly observing developments, expecting the Kotoku Chiefs to either condemn the MCE’s actions or clarify the Palace’s position on the matter.
The MCE’s conduct has attracted significant criticism from sections of the public, who argue that public officials should resolve disputes through legal and constitutional means rather than resorting to traditional rituals.
However, Solomon Brako Kusi has defended his actions, insisting that he was only seeking a swift way to clear his name following the allegations levelled against him.
In the viral video, the MCE described himself as a Christian but stated that he was introduced to traditional spiritual practices during his childhood.
He subsequently called on the gods to disgrace Hon. Alexander Akwasi Acquah if the MP’s allegations proved to be false.
The incident has also generated speculation among some youth in Akyem Oda. According to local accounts, there are suspicions that the sheep seen during the ritual was later slaughtered and consumed by some of the individuals who accompanied the MCE to the riverside, an act that some claim differs from the customary procedures traditionally associated with the invocation of curses. These claims have not been independently verified.
The dispute between the two public officials stems from allegations repeatedly made by the Akyem Oda MP, who has accused the MCE of facilitating illegal mining activities in the Birim Central Municipality.
Hon. Alexander Akwasi Acquah has maintained that the allegations are not new. According to him, he has raised concerns over the past year and submitted petitions to various state institutions but says no action has been taken.
In several media interviews, the MP explained that his recent public comments were influenced by the conviction and imprisonment of former Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, over illegal mining-related offences.
The MP has questioned why authorities have, in his view, failed to investigate similar allegations involving other public officials despite repeated complaints.
As public interest in the matter continues to grow, many residents of the Kotoku Traditional Area say they are looking to the Kotoku Palace for guidance on whether the MCE’s actions violate the traditional ban on the invocation of curses and what, if any, consequences may follow.
Neither the Kotoku Palace nor the relevant traditional authorities had publicly commented on the matter at the time of filing this report. Likewise, no law enforcement agency has announced any investigation into the ritual itself.
By 1960news.com
