Review of Serwah-The Saga of an African Princess by Frances Ademola

SERWAH is Rita Akoto Coker’s first published novel. It is a simple love story set in Ashanti in the 18th Century. Serwah, the princess of Antoa and Prince Owusu of Bomah were betrothed when they were children, but fell madly in love when they finally met in their teens. True to the saying that “the path of true love never runs smooth” they had serious problems after their formal engagement, but love and wisdom won through, and they lived happily ever after. Rita Akoto Coker brings to the simple story many resources. Her considerable royal connection gives the novel an authentic voice. Knowing the courtesies, intrigues and traditions of a royal household, she guides her readers through the courts of Antoa and Bomah with confidence, inviting them to eavesdrop on royal meals. Her remarkable gift of character portrayal, combined with her narrative skill makes the story flow on with effortless ease, in good and fluent English. Added to these are her powers of observation and imagination. Owusu and Serwah are both strong-willed and though pining for each other, they do not speak to each other for a whole year, nor do they break their engagement. While Owusu allows himself to be seduced by the scheming Princess Pokuaa, and finds consolation with other women, Serwah resists the persistent overtures of Prince Appiah and finally sends him off with a flea in his ear for peddling rumours about Owusu. Serwah emerges the stronger of the two lovers. Rita Akoto describes her as “docile on the outside but she was as fierce in temperament as a mother tigress when angered….. Those who knew her could testify to this, she had learnt to balance compassion with wisdom, love with judgment and mercy with punishment”. The reconciliation of the lovers is presented with great tenderness and delicacy. Serwah makes the first move, a public and traditional one at the funeral of Owusu’s uncle, then later that evening we see the final and private reconciliation, and all Owusu could say in his mind over and over again is “This is home”. Other characters are also brought to life by Rita’s deft pen. Appiah and his scheming cousin Pokuaa are sufficiently devious and plausible, and other minor characters are creatures of flesh and blood, speaking in character and effectively communicating with the reader. There is cohesion in the communities presented to us of village life in 18th Century Ashanti. SERWAH would make a good film and should be captured on celluloid. There is a simple beauty and power in the writer’s unpretentious style. A touching love story from the past is just what is needed in these brittle days of politics and commerce, and we await a sequel to SERWAH. Rita Akoto Coker is a novelist with a great future and this first historical novel will give delight to many readers for a long time.

BAFUOR OSEI AKOTO, THE MOVER AND THE SHAKER

MY FATHER, THE MOVER AND THE SHAKER! This year 2012 and September 3rd to be precise, marks the 10th anniversary of my father's passing. He was an enigma! Everywhere he went; every comment he made; every comment made about him; even whenever he sneezed, he created ripples, good or bad. He was phenomenal and profound in his statements. He was wise beyond compare. He did not earn the title of “Asante cultural walking encyclopedia” for nothing. His memory and his mind was sharp till he died at the ripe old age of 98. You could not but be awed in his presence. He had a commanding presence that begged to be respected. He was one of the most handsome men among the Princes in the land. Above all, he hated injustice and was no hypocrite. This was my father Bafuor Osei-Akoto. His compassion and his sense of advocating for the poor, the deprived and the vulnerable led him to be chosen as the leader of the National Liberation Movement (NLM). Oh, this movement has been so misunderstood and ridiculed by his detractors and a war machine propaganda, second to only the one put in place by Hitler in his feeble attempts to annihilate the Jews, was put forth by the opposition in order to re-write the historical contributions he made to the independence of Ghana. But the truth can never be covered. In this world, every person or people who have ever refused to live under slavery and injustice have fought to regain their rightful place to live as free men under the sun. Look at all the countries of the world, the Mau Mau of Kenya, the African National Congress of South Africa. These two were at one point or the other, referred to as renegades and blood thirsty just as the NLM was referred to. The NLM and these two had some things in common: 1. They were known to have originated on tribal lines and this is no surprise since the meaning of nationalism is “... a concept that arose in the 19th c. among peoples who became aware of their national identity without having a national state; in these cases nationalism had first to be affirmed linguistically and culturally, then be given political embodiment.” Wikipedia. So those who referred to NLM as tribalistic should have seen that that is how many revolutions and independence anywhere started so if these 2 countries and others including Cuba have now accepted the fact that the movements helped to bring about liberation, then why can't Ghanaians accept NLM as same but continue to vilify the movement? 2. The three movements had to defend themselves against their opposers, be it the colonialists or otherwise. They did fight back only to defend themselves against those who thought they were rebels and in their effort to crush them, sent armed guards, soldiers and thugs against them. The authorities used every form of intimidation against these groups and whenever these people fought back, they were referred to in many derogatory terms and having the power over the media, the authority at the time would use negative propaganda to discredit the groups. 3. In South Africa and Ghana, many resistant groups were formed against the authorities. In Ghana the minority groups that opposed the CPP government were the Northern People's Party (NPP), Togoland Congress Party (GCP), the Aborigines Rights Protection Society and the Anlo Youth Organization. All these groups came together from the different regions of Ghana proving that people with the same aspirations, be it tribal, religion or otherwise always come together, so why was the NLM singled out and vilified? In South Africa this is how it was described, “During the eight years of negotiations, it became apparent that delegates of the four provinces were determined to forge a settlement that excluded Africans from meaningful political participation in the envisaged unified South Africa. This galvanized different African political formations, hitherto fragmented and each with a ‘provincial’ appeal, to forge a unified political movement that would challenge the exclusion of Black people. The African People’s Organisation, largely a Cape political formation, the Orange River Colony Vigilance Association and the Transvaal Vigilance Association were all formed during this period.” Wikipedia. In Kenya, it was the Kikuyu tribe that led the opposition. 4. In Ghana when the then government wanted to use the 'divide and rule' tactics in order to shatter the groups, they all came together to form the United Party (UP) under the National Chairmanship of Mr. Alex Hutton-Mills. I could go on and on to make comparisons but time will not permit me. The point is, it was not only the NLM that formed a resistance group against dictatorship. It has happened in many countries and recently in Libya, Tunisia, Egypt and now in Syria. The government of the day always feel the desire to crush any opposition to their authority and this always result in bloodshed. The NLM was vindicated when Nkrumah became a dictator after turning Ghana into a one party State, something my father had been warning Ghanaians about. He declared himself the sole president after my father Bafuor and 7 others were detained without trial under the Preventive Detention Act of 1959. Mandela suffered the same fate and so was Jomo Kenyatta. All these people paid their dues and were honoured but my father has been left out even in speeches that celebrate our independence. Their names have been etched on monuments in their respective countries. The question is why, why, why? Where were the Big Six when my father with the then Asantehene and other Chiefs debated the independence issue in October of 1943? Where was Busia and Nkrumah when my father, J B.Danquah and others were delegated to present the Joint Gold Coast Independence proposal to the Colonial Secretary, Mr. Oliver Littleton at the Castle, Osu in 1953? I have the pictures to prove it. Point is, the history books are there to verify these statements even though we are aware that some things have been changed to re-write history in order to vilify my father. But Pa has been vindicated by current events here in Ghana and abroad so why won't history in Ghana give honour to whom honour is due but continue to perpetuate the lies and the slander put in place by Nkrumah's propaganda machine? In this the 10th anniversary of his death, I just want the records to be set straight about this great man's selflessness and to honour his achievements. I would wish I had the space to continue with this but I believe that anyone who has the truth ingrained into their natures and hate injustice would seek to accept my father's contribution to this nation. Pa, you were an enigma, a philosopher, a wise counselor, a great linguist, a great husband and above all a great and gentle father. You will forever remain in our hearts because to live in the hearts of those you love is to live forever. Come what may, let it rain, let is shine, let others continue to hide their heads in the sand in order to hide your glory and achievements, but we, your children, will never ever forget you. Be rest assured that your grandchildren and great, great great...........grandchildren will learn of your greatness. You served your country well during World War II when you retired as a Captain, when you participated with delegation after delegation about our independence, when you lost all after being unlawfully detained by the then government to assuage their pride. You were even banned from entering Ashanti Region after your release in 1965 so you went to stay at Tamale till the 1966 coup. But through it all, you stood tall like a Colossus. You would have loved the RE:Akoto Memorial Lectures instituted by the Ghana Law School in your memory and the 7 others as well. Rest In Perfect Peace till we meet again to part no more. “Onipa beyee bi na wammeye ne nyinaa. Your achievements will be written in the sands of time. Peace!!! Rita Akoto Coker