Memorial Tribute to Our Matriachal Ancestor, Awo Amma OboAtaa ( 1701-1780) Part 2: The Reunion.

 We worship our ancestors. We believe that our relatives who have gone before us are always around to see to our welfare, and give us help whenever necessary. We also call upon them regularly to come to our aid whenever we pour libation.  

   Though our Matriarchal ancestor died in 1780, we believe that  her spirit is still around. We also believe that she is ready  to help us. In 1965, after 250 years or so, there was a reunion between Awo’s modern relatives at Abetifi- Kwahu, and those of her descendants at Akaa-Buem. The  reunion couldn’t have happened without her spiritual intervention.

    Here is how this reunion came about. In our village of Akaa-Buem, almost all of the boys applied to high schools at Kpando’ s Bishop Herman College. The smarter ones attended St. Augustine’s College at Cape Coast and Achimota School in Accra. But for some unknown reason, I decided to attend St. Peter’s College, an elite Catholic Boys Boarding School located at Nkwatia-Kwahu, just 25 miles from Abetifi, where our ancestor came from.

When the paramount chief died, the elders from Abetifi went to Akaa and persuaded Awo and her children to return to Abetifi, but she refused. Just before she died in 1780, she categorically stated that she would want the two families to reunite someday. So, my applying to St. Peter’s was not merely  coincidental. I think it had a lot to do with her intervention.  

   During my first week at St. Peter’s, the gentleman who became my friend, a tall and handsome guy, Mr. Edward Kwasi Sampong Brenya hailed from Abetifi. When I informed him about our ancestor and our family history, this is what he said:

      “ Kwaku,  I know your family very well. They  are an influential family, connected with the Kwahu royal lineage. They live in that part of Abetifi known as Kubease. In fact, my father married one of the ladies, the older daughter of Awo HANNAH Obiyaa. , and they have two girls, my half-sisters Amma Agyeiwaa, also known as Florence Bowaa Brenya and Comfort Brenya. If you like, I will take you to the house next weekend. “ 

  Mr Brenya took me to Abetifi as he promised. Awo Obiyaa, the matriarch, introduced me to  all the family members