The ancient Okomfo Anokye Cola Tree stump in Feyiase, Ashanti region, which was deliberately felled unnoticed by the community, has unexpectedly started to sprout a month after its removal. Okyeame Frimpong, a linguist from the Feyiase Traditional Council, shared this development in an exclusive interview with JoyNews. The site has been restricted to the public, and purification ceremonies are underway following what the traditional authority labeled as a “doom and unfortunate” incident.
To further investigate the situation, a team of researchers from the Crops Research Institute of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research has visited the location where the tree was cut down. The historic Cola tree, known as the Okomfo Anokye Bese, holds immense historical significance for the Asante Kingdom and provides medicinal benefits to residents in close proximity.
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The Feyiase cola tree, planted 300 years ago, is believed to have originated from the saliva of the revered chief priest, Okomfo Anokye, who spat on the ground while chewing cola nuts during his journey through the community. Locals attribute magical powers to the sacred tree, asserting its ability to cure infertility and heal various ailments and spiritual afflictions.
Despite the severity of the situation, the Feyiase community has taken precautions by cordoning off the area to prevent public access. Meanwhile, the suspect, Solomon Amponsah, who is accused of felling the tree, has met bail conditions after spending nearly a month in custody. Although he was granted bail, he failed to secure his release by not meeting the specified amount or providing suitable collateral. The charges against Amponsah have been revised from unlawful damage to the illicit felling of a tree. Despite pleading not guilty, the case has been adjourned to December 28, 2023, following orders for the prosecution to submit relevant documents for the trial.
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