Pastor allegedly cited as person behind felling of 300-year-old Okomfo Anokye tree

A pastor has allegedly been named as the person behind the felling of an over 300-year-old historic cola tree (Bese) near Kumasi, believed to have been planted by the revered Asante chief priest, Okomfo Anokye.

According to a news report by graphic.com.gh, the said pastor hired some town boys to cut down the tree as he believed it was fetish.

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The pastor, according to the report, did not understand why authorities did not touch the tree even when they re-constructed the Atonsu-Esreso-Bosomtwe dual carriageway.

The contractors had diverted the road and by-passed the tree, leaving it untouched in an attempt to keep it protected.

Dissatisfied with this decision, the pastor allegedly offered a GH¢5000 incentive to 'town boys' to clandestinely cut down the tree.

“We are told the Pastor gave the boys GH¢5,000 to cut the tree down,” a resident of Feyiase is quoted to have said.

Background

The 300-year-old cola tree cut down by an unknown person
In a disheartening incident that took place at Feyiase in the Ashanti Region, a cherished symbol of historical significance in the Asante Kingdom has been lost.

A 300-year-old cola tree, purportedly planted by Komfo Anokye, was cut down by an unknown man in the early hours of Tuesday, November 7, 2024. This was reported by a Facebook user with the name, Kwabena Nsafua.

The cola tree hold a significant place in local tradition of the Asante people and it is believed to have been planted by the revered chief priest, Komfo Anokye, the man who commanded the Golden Stool from the sky for the Asantehene.

The town of Feyiase, which historically served as a battleground between the Asante Allied Forces and the Denkyira in the 17th century, stands as a testament to a rich history of conflicts and cultural heritage in the region.

The felling of this ancient tree, positioned along the Lake Bosomtwe Road, carries deep symbolic importance, resonating with the area's historical narratives.

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The cola tree stood as a living object, a reminder of ancestral roots, and was highly revered by the locals, details online have said.

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