The Asantehene presented the Roadmap to end the Bawku conflict to the President, his attire spoke as loudly as his words.
The king’s cloth bears the revered Akan Adinkra symbol Bi Nka Bi (Obi nka bi), delicately painted in white. Literally translated as “no one should bite the other,” the symbol embodies peace, harmony, unity, fairness, and forgiveness.
Often depicted as two fish or crocodiles biting each other’s tails, Bi Nka Bi is a timeless caution against conflict, provocation, and destructive rivalry. It teaches restraint and mutual respect, reminding us that when a people turn against themselves, the result is collective ruin. Disagreement must never lead to self-destruction.
Complementing this was another potent symbol: the golden Porcupine standing on a stool. The Porcupine, the totem of Asanteman, symbolizes collective strength, vigilance, and unity, while the stool represents legitimate authority, governance, and the soul of the people. Together, they convey strength guided by wisdom, authority rooted in tradition and a readiness to defend peace, not to provoke conflict.
In presenting the roadmap to end the Bawku conflict, the king’s symbolism was deliberate and clear: peace must be pursued with restraint, unity upheld through dialogue, and stability anchored in legitimate authority.
Before words were spoken at Jubilee House, tradition had already delivered its message. Peace is the message.
Unity is the goal.
Piawwwwwwwwwww!!!
