A Chinese man, Sun Qiang, has been enstooled as a development chief or Nkosuohene of Kwahu-Abetifi, a town in the Eastern Region of Ghana.
The Nkosuohene is given to non royals assisting in the development of the area under the chief. The enstoolement of the Chinese man as chief has not gone down well with people of Kwaju–Abetifi.
Per custom, Sun Qian was given a new name Barima Kofi Ayeboafo following his enstoolment. The name Ayeboafo in means “one who has done something to benefit others”.
A ceremony was held at Kwawu-Abetifi Palace on Saturday to enstool Sun Qiang as the new developmental chief of Kwaju-Abetifi.
Qiang was seen in pictures circulating on social media being carried on the shoulders by young men during the ceremony.
The developmental chief title was created in 1985 by the late Asantehene, Otumfuo Opoku Ware II, “ as a way to promote development of the region.
This is not the first time a foreigner has held the role as in the mid 1990s whites have been enstooled chiefs to spearhead development in Ghana.
The idea of having a Chinese taking over the role has caused mixed feelings among Ghanaians as the Chinese are accused of slowly ‘colonising’ Africa.
China sees and conducts itself as a super power and friend of African states. The Chinese government sponsored the construction of the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa.
The Chinese command an influential presence in mining and agriculture in Africa and in some circumstances they have been accused of exploiting workers and importing cheap labour from China.
Many African governments owe China billions of dollars and the general populace has been accusing leaders of mortgaging the country to China.
Chinese man enstooled chief in Ghana