Authorities in Ghana have launched a manhunt for the individuals responsible for the felling of a revered 300-year-old kola tree, known for its purported healing powers. The ancient tree, with its origins dating back to the Ashanti Kingdom, holds great significance to local people due to its association with renowned priest Komfo Anokye.
Per local folklore, the kola tree sprouted from the exact spot where Komfo Anokye spat a kola nut on the ground during the early 1700s. Believed to possess the ability to cure ailments and curses, the black and white seeds of the kola tree held mystical properties in the eyes of many Ghanaians.
The recent circulation of images portraying the downed tree in the town of Feyiase, which sits along a vital road linking Kumasi and Lake Bosomtwe, has sparked profound outrage among Ghanaians. The kola tree, previously spared during the construction of the highway due to its popularity as a tourist attraction, is now the subject of bewilderment and dismay.
The motive behind the tree’s felling remains unclear, and the director of research at Manhyia Palace, Osei-Bonsu Safo Kantanka, emphasized its historical importance. The Battle of Feyiase, a pivotal moment in the fight for Ashanti independence from the dominant Denkyira kingdom, took place on the very grounds where the kola tree once stood.
Komfo Anokye, recognized as a powerful fetish priest, is also honored for having buried a sword in the ground that remains immovable on the premises of a hospital in Kumasi that bears his name. The presence of the kola tree served as a constant reminder of his heroic legacy.
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