When Chinese man, Sun Qiang, was enstooled as the Nkosuohene (Development Chief) of Asenyanso village in the Kwahu Afram Plains area of the Eastern Region of Ghana, the mood for rejection was instant and spontaneous.

Many of those who were enraged by the decision ranged from indigenes to persons in the diaspora, who thought there were far too many people in Ghana who qualified to be Nkosuohene for a Chinese to be given that honour.

The kingmakers were enraged too. They held a news conference to reject the installation and ordered that it be annulled.

They said on September 5, 2020, they received news of an enstoolment of a Chinese investor at Aframso, a village in the Afraim Plains, as a development chief in which they summoned the Odikro of the area for interrogation since it was abhorrent to the culture and tradition of Kwahu to carry anyone shoulder-high without the permission of the palace.

They said after the summons, Akyemfour Nana Asiedu, Abetifihene and his elders annulled the said enstoolment since laid down procedures were not followed.

Mr Qiang also held a news conference to denounce the title of Nkosuohene following the outpouring of anger.

Nkosuohene, which literally translates into development chief is very much an important component of Ghana’s traditional governance systems.

The Nkosuohene is responsible for the development of the community of his reign. It was created to honor someone who does not have to be a member of a royal family.

Created by the Ashanti, a small number of selected foreigners have been honored with this title which appreciates the contribution of non-royals.

There are reasons why the people’s anger won’t go away on this matter.

There is evidence that many Chinese nationals come visit Ghana in the hopes of winning some of its resources; ie. Gold, Timber, diamond, etc. 

Their government is even strongly eying the country’s bauxite as they seek to construct badly needed roads for Ghana in exchange for a significant portion of bauxite deposits in the Eastern Region.

So the Chinese appetite for Ghanaian resources, acquired through fair or foul means has been firmly established.

It is for this reason that it becomes difficult to ignore rumours in the Afram Plains community that the Odikro has been the recipient of funds from Mr. Qiang and allowed him to fell trees for export.

At a press conference to announce his denouncement as Nkosuohene, the spokesperson for the Chinese man, Baba Issah, condemned the negative reactions of the general public toward the enstoolment of Mr Qiang.

He, however, noted that despite his denouncement, Mr Qiang will still remain committed to the development of the area.

“He is thankful to all of you for the opportunity. However, today, what he’s saying to Ghanaians and the world is that he is no more interested in the chieftaincy title. He came for development, and, so, he is dissociating himself from the title.

At a press conference to announce his denouncement as Nkosuohene, the spokesperson for the Chinese man, Mr Baba Issah, condemned the negative reactions of the general public toward the enstoolment of Mr Qiang.

He, however, noted that despite his denouncement, Mr Qiang will still remain committed to the development of the area.

“He is thankful to all of you for the opportunity. However, today, what he’s saying to Ghanaians and the world is that he is no more interested in the chieftaincy title. He came for development, and, so, he is dissociating himself from the title.

"The development of Afram Agya is a priority to him and, so, he still remains focused to the development of the area.

“He is, therefore, appealing to everyone who is interested in farming to come to the area and do so in order to create employment for the youth and people of the area,” Baba Issah said.

The Chinese man, who operates an ethanol factory in the area, also extended an invitation to businessmen and farmers interested in cassava farming to come to the area and cultivate cassava farms which will supply the factory to enable him reach the 700-job goal he set for the factory.