Kennedy Kwasi Kankam, former Member of Parliament for the Nhyiaeso constituency, has dismissed recent statements from the Asante Youth Association (AYA), declaring that “nobody can intimidate anyone with Asante.”
The response follows comments by Tweneboa Kodua, General Secretary of AYA, who in an interview on AbusuaFM urged the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to distance itself from Bono Regional Chairman Kwame Baffoe Abronye’s remarks against Dr. Richard Anane. Kodua warned that any NPP presidential aspirant who associates with Abronye in the Ashanti region would face resistance from the youth.
Speaking to Kojo Marfo on AbusuaNkommo, also on AbusuaFM monitored by Kumasimail, Kennedy Kankam challenged the view that such threats don’t reflect the strength of the Ashanti people.
He stated firmly “Nobody can intimidate anyone in the name of Asante!”
He emphasized that only the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, represents the collective Ashanti identity to an extent that an attack on him affects all Asantes.
“Only one person, if attacked, you have attacked all, and that is Otumfuo Osei Tutu Ababio,” Kankam said.
“For others, attacking them is like attacking your brother. The threats being issued should stop immediately. There is no need for AYA to be used in this manner,” he added.
He praised AYA’s mission to support the development of Asanteman and protect its respected leaders, but warned against blind defense of individuals.
Kankam emphasized “It’s good that they’re defending Asantes who have distinguished themselves, but the distinguished Asantes, if they are speaking, should be very careful and not get carried away to the extent that if you attack someone who is minding his own business, that person will also attack you. Everyone will protect their name.”
Kankam cited historical examples where the Ashanti people have risen against their own leaders who acted against their interests, referencing former Head of State Ignatius Kutu Acheampong.
Describing Otumfuo’s loyalty to the Golden Stool (Sikwa), Kankam said, “When he was enstooled, he was told his only friend is the Sikwa. Apart from the stool, he has no mother or father. Our loyalty as Ashanti youth is to the Sikadwa.
He urged elders and youth groups like AYA to carefully consider their actions and represent the Ashanti name with dignity. Kankam warned that defending any elder should be based on their actions, not out of blind allegiance.
“Asante Youth Association should be very cautious when defending any elder. They should ask themselves what that elder did and should not defend anyone blindly because in Asante, we have ways to communicate,” he concluded.
