What was meant to be a grand and beautiful marriage and naming ceremony for the Chief Fetish Priest of Offinsohene on Sunday, October 6, 2024, was almost derailed by an unexpected power outage just as the event was about to begin around 11:00 a.m.
Due to the significance of the event, townsfolk had gathered in large numbers to witness the marriage of the Chief Fetish Priest. However, before proceedings could get underway, a sudden power outage struck. “This has been our bane here! We treat light-offs as casually as water!” the locals lamented.
Despite the inconvenience, the ceremony went ahead, though the absence of microphones forced speakers to shout themselves hoarse to be heard.
Nana Sumanhene Ties the Knot
The marriage engagement was between Op. Kwabena Asumadu Bempong, popularly known as Nana Sumanhene, and Madam Ama Ekyea, both natives of Offinso. Despite the challenges posed by the outage, the couple’s commitment to the ceremony was unwavering.
An Ironic Union
Interestingly, while Nana Sumanhene is the Chief Fetish Priest, his new wife, Madam Ama Ekyea, is a Christian. The items presented to her by her husband during the ceremony included a Bible and wedding rings. Even more striking was the fact that the officiating minister, Rev. Benjamin Fokuo of Top Ministries International, Tepa Branch, is Nana Sumanhene’s biological brother. Both brothers, though from different religious backgrounds, share the same family lineage.
“Marriage Is Not in the Rings”
In his sermon, Rev. Fokuo reminded the couple that the essence of marriage is not found in the rings they exchange, but in their mutual faith and reliance on God during difficult times. He urged Nana Sumanhene to never resort to violence against his wife and emphasized the importance of seeking guidance from the Bible in times of conflict. He further reflected on the three most significant dates in a person’s life: the day of birth, the day of marriage, and the day of death. Unlike the other two, Rev. Fokuo explained, the day of marriage is one that the individual can truly experience and enjoy, and thus it should be cherished.
By S.O. Ankamah, Offinso, A/R