SACRED GROOVE TO BECOME RELIGIOUS TOURISM CENTRE (MIRROR, PAGE 30)

From Joe Okyere, Obidan, near Mankessim

The Cape Coast Diocese of the Methodist Church, Ghana has set in motion a programme to turn the infamous “Nanaanom pow” at Obidan near Mankessim into a retreat and religious tourism centre.
The parcel of land of about 38 acres was given to the diocese by the family of one Akwaasi, a hunter, who challenged the “borbor mfantse” elders over the sacredness of the forest which once served as the cemetery for the "borbor mfantse" emigrants from Takyiman, in the Brong Ahafo Region and settled at Mankessim under the leadership of three powerful chiefs, “Oson” (elephant), “Oburumankuma” (whale) and “Odapagyan” (eagle).
According to “ The Route of Ghana Methodism” these names represented the Fante people’s idea of such elemental powers as are demonstrated by the elephant, the whale and the eagle. Each was undisputed lord of its domain.
On the death of these three chiefs, their remains were buried in a grove near Mankessim, and their spirits, believed to be dwelling there, gave to the place an aura of awe and reverence. The spirits of these ancestors were called “nananom”, and regarded as the greatest source of power among the Fantes. The Fantes resorted to nananom in times of dangers and difficulties for purification and protection which gave rise to a powerful school of priests.
Speaking at a ceremony to launch the project, the Bishop of the Cape Coast Diocese of the Methodist Church, Right Reverend Isaac K. Quansah, said the elders of Obidan decided to give the land to the church to use as its missionary expansion work.
Rev Quansah said the family of Akwaasi gave the land at no cost but what they demanded from the church was to see to the development of the site which would bring economic benefits to the Obidan community.
They also requested for a yearly scholarship to one pupil who would sit the BECE and qualify for senior secondary school and even to the university.
When fully developed, the facility will have a retreat centre comprising a hall with a capacity for 1,500, four chalets, catering facilities, orchards, plantations for teak, acacia and moringa.
Empty bottles of schnapps used to pacify the gods lay around the three stones which served as the revered spot for the gods and few metres away is a marshy grounds which served as a pond in which stubborn persons who challenged the gods during pacification were driven into to return no more.