Ghana Outraged as 300-Year-Old Komfo Anokye Kola Tree is Cut Down

Ghanaian authorities are on the search for the culprits who cut down a well-known kola tree that was believed to possess healing abilities. The tree, which dates back 300 years to the Ashanti Kingdom in present-day Ghana, held significance among locals. It was said to have sprouted from the place where renowned priest Komfo Anokye spat a kola nut on the ground in the early 1700s. The black and white seeds of the kola tree were thought to possess the power to cure illnesses and curses. The cutting down of the tree in the town of Feyiase caused anger among Ghanaians, with images of the fallen tree circulating online. Despite being situated in the middle of a major road connecting Kumasi, Ghana's commercial center, and Lake Bosomtwe, the kola tree had been spared during the construction of the highway due to its popularity as a tourist attraction for both locals and foreigners. It remains unclear why the tree was cut down at this time. Osei-Bonsu Safo Kantanka, the director of research at the Manhyia Palace, which is the seat of the Ashanti royal family, explained that the tree held historical significance for the Ashanti Kingdom. It was believed to be the site of the Ashanti people's victory over the powerful kingdom of Denkyira during the Battle of Feyiase. As a powerful fetish priest, Komfo Anokye played a vital role as a mediator between the spirit and the living. Legend has it that he buried a sword at the hospital in Kumasi that bears his name, and it remained firmly in place, symbolizing his bravery. The presence of the kola tree served as a constant reminder of Komfo Anokye's heroic achievements.