One person has been arrested by the police to assist with investigations pertaining to the felling of Okomfo Anokye’s historic cola tree in Feyiase. 

On Tuesday morning, residents of Feyiase in the Bosomtwe District of the Ashanti Region woke up to the scene of a historic tree being cut down by unknown perpetrators. 

The tree, planted centuries ago holds historical significance to the Asante Kingdom and serves medicinal purposes for residents living close to the sacred tree. 

Known as the Okomfo Anokye Bese, the Feyiase cola tree is believed to have been felled in the middle of the night by unknown perpetrators. 

The tree now lies lifeless with its stump seated deeply in the middle of the Kumasi Atonsu – Lake Bosomtwe road. 

The Feyiase Akoyem Traditional Council and the police have since joined forces in search of unknown persons believed to have fell the historic cola tree planted by Asante’s revered chief priest, Okomfo Anokye. 

On the back of this, information reaching JoyNews reveals that the residents are alleging the involvement of a pastor in the unfortunate act.

According to JoyNews' correspondent, Emmanuel Bright Quaicoe, the man of God induced the perpetrators with money to cut down the tree after he deemed it as “fetish”.

Sources also said that the pastor did not understand why the reconstruction of the Atonsu - Lake Bosomtwe road did not affect the tree but was diverted to keep the tree.

Presently, at Feyiase where the tree was fell, a barricade has been mounted around it to prevent any additional intrusion by the public.

This precautionary measure has been taken as the local traditional council gears up to conduct rites in response to the regrettable incident involving the tree.

It is unknown whether the rites are to rejuvenate the tree or leave it in its current state but the traditional authorities want to appease the gods in light of the unfortunate felling of the tree because it may have repercussions for the residents and the Ashanti kingdom at large.

Meanwhile, the Feyiase Traditional Council has relayed the unfortunate incident to the Ashantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II who is yet to take any further steps towards it.

The council met the Asantehene on Tuesday during the 'Awukude3' festival where they informed him about the cutting down of the historic tree.