Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, was the target of Captain Smart’s vehement criticism, which sent social media ablaze with comments. Captain Smart accused Otumfuo in his most recent Facebook Live video of excessively spending money on King Mswati III of Eswatini, the last absolute monarch of Africa, who is well-known for his enormous personal wealth and opulent lifestyle. Given that many subchiefs in the Ashanti Kingdom are reportedly struggling financially, the Ghanaian broadcaster questioned the wisdom of supporting or giving gifts to such a wealthy individual.

Captain Smart believes that rather than the other way around, Otumfuo should be the one learning financial strategies or perhaps approaching King Mswati for assistance. According to him, the action seems more like an attempt to boost one’s own standing than to carry out genuine diplomatic efforts. According to Captain Smart, this action is a stark contrast to the Asanteman structure’s economic reality, where several traditional leaders find it difficult to maintain their positions.

He even went so far as to charge Otumfuo with hoarding fortune when his people are struggling financially. By implying that the king’s goals are out of alignment, Captain Smart presented a picture of a leader who is more concerned with creating symbolic relationships with other strong monarchs than he is with improving the lot of his own people. He argued that traditional leaders should be subject to public examination and criticism, particularly when their choices have an impact on the general well-being of their communities. He also questioned the cultural silence that frequently surrounds chiefs.

Captain Smart is once again at the center of controversy as a result of this audacious criticism. While his critics cautioned that such statements could cause needless conflict and erode cultural unity, his supporters applauded his bravery for speaking truth to power. These remarks will undoubtedly spark heated discussions both online and offline in Ghana’s geopolitical environment, where traditional authority is still held in high regard.

Even though Otumfuo has not yet made a public statement, the controversy this criticism has sparked is still going strong. Whether political or traditional, the argument over leadership accountability is once again at the forefront. Some have already praised Captain Smart’s broadcast as a crucial wake-up call as the nation considers the function of chieftaincy in modern society.

Source: The Conversation