Imagine a tree that is 300 years old, and yet still has its roots intact and its leaves as fresh as ever. Yes, what you’re thinking is right. This is no normal tree but a human-tree.
The Mpeni Kofi tree is a demi-god is situated in the heart of Akropong in Ghana and is very significant to the people of Akuapem. It is the famed tree that turns human at night to guard his people
Covered at its lower side with a white cloth, Mpeni Kofi, as it is called, has guarded and protected the people of Akuapem for centuries. Locals note that the tree was found at its current place by their ancestors after it guided them home from war.
Speaking to Ghanaian online portal GhanaWeb, Acting Krontihene of Akuapem, Nana Addo Kwataa and Sub-chief, Ahenenanhene Osae Adade, explained that the tree has a human side.
“Mpeni Kofi, that is the name. He is clothed, in white cloth. We don’t see that one as a tree but we see that one as a special entity that holds us up and leads us,” explained Nana Addo Kwataa.
“It is a signal to us. When we went to war, we could trace it and know that we are heading home. 300 years ago when our forefathers came, they saw it and it was of importance to them and it is a generational worshipping. We keep on worshipping it up till today,” he added.
Apart from providing a protective shield to the people, the mysterious tree serves another purpose. According to Ahenenanhene Osae Adade, it has a special bond to the palace of the Okuapehene and serves as a unifier for the houses surrounding it.
“All the four houses surrounding it, the roots of the tree are beneath it. Those houses are watering it and have special things to do with it. There’s another house behind it. They are feeding the Okuapehene,” said Ahenenanhene Osae Adade.
“It is believed to be a security man also. Whenever we are asleep, it goes round the town. A very tall man, protecting us,” he added.
