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Histories and Political Opposition in Ahafo, Ghana1

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 January 2012

A. F. Robertson
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Extract

Towards the end of my 1968–9 period of study in Ghana an audience was arranged for me with the late Asantehene, Otumfuo Sir Osei Agyeman Prempeh II. He was ailing at the time and his readiness to see me was largely attributable to his acute interest in the political affairs of Ahafo, the district in which I was working. One of the first questions he asked me was whether I had been told in Ahafo about a certain ‘Asibi Entwi’. I replied that I had heard a great deal about this person. Otumfuo then assured me emphatically: ‘Asibi Entwi is a lie. No such man ever lived.’

Résumé

HISTOIRE ET OPPOSITION POLITIQUE CHEZ LES AHAFO, GHANA

Cet article examine les relations politiques courantes existant entre les 28 chefs d'Ahafo, district du Ghana occidental, et expose la manière selon laquelle ces relations sont exprimées et évaluées dans les versions différentes de l'histoire ahafo que racontent les chefs. L'allégeance à une autorité supérieure et l'établissement d'un conseil traditionnel fut un événement qui divisa profondément les chefs pendant longtemps. De 1956 à 1966 environ chacune des deux plus grandes factions était associée avec l'un des partis politiques de contestation nationale. Deux principaux thèmes historiques reflètent ce schisme, l'un décrivant l'intégration au groupe ashanti et rapportant la poursuite d'un ennemi nommé Abiri Moro, l'autre affirmant l'indépendance d'Ahafo depuis la défaite décisive d'un général ashanti, nommé Asibi Entwi. L'auteur souligne la concurrence entre ces thèmes et la solidarité politique de la faction minoritaire. En conclusion, quelques commentaires sont faits à la lumière de l'histoire ahafo: les thèmes ‘opposes’ sont significatifs de la segmentation politique et se modifient en fonction de leur utilisation politique.

Type
Research Article
Information
Africa , Volume 43 , Issue 1 , January 1973 , pp. 41 - 58
Copyright
Copyright © International African Institute 1973

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References

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