Kumasi, Ashanti Region, Ghana, April 22, 2019//-Dignitaries worldwide on Sunday converged on Kumasi, the Ashanti Regional capital, to attend the climax of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II’s 20th anniversary as Asantehene.
He ascended to the Golden Stool on April 26, 1999 when he swore the oath of Asante to be faithful to his people.
In attendance was a high government delegation led by President Nana Akufo-Addo, Vice President Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and their wives.
Among the foreign dignitaries were Mr Ashwin Adhin, Vice President of Suriname, who led a large congregation; traditional rulers from Nigeria, Togo, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, other African countries, and government officials around the globe.
Former presidents like General Obassanjo of Nigeria, Konan Bedie of Cote d’Ivoire, Mr. J.A. Kufuor and Mr. J.D. Mahama of Ghana wer present. Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, former First Lady was also in attendance.
Addressing the mammoth crowd Otumfuo Osei Tutu said, “We are humbled by the presence here of so many emissaries, and eminent chiefs who have traveled from far and near, across oceans and continents to share with us tidings of amity and fraternity”.
“We are pleased to welcome His Excellency the Vice President of the Republic of Suriname, who has made the long journey from the Pacific at the head of a 15-man delegation to be with us.
Our thanks goes to our own head of state, His Excellency, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for the great honour he has accorded us, and for leading our elder statesmen and former heads of states and indeed the whole nation as our special guest of honour.”
“Your Excellency, the President of the Republic and noble guests, it was by the grace of God that we ascended the Golden Stool to continue the mantle of our forefathers on April 26, 1999.
Throughout our journey, we have sought His [God] guidance and protection and he had never failed us and so we must see some significance in the fact that our Adae Kese commemorating the 20th anniversary of our reign, coincides with one of the holiest days in the Christian calendar, a day of resurrection, a day of hope and renewal for mankind. You only have to look at this unique assembly here today to feel the manifestation of the hope, and the renewal that beckons for our beloved nation”.
The Asante monarch said, “For the first time in the history of Ghana, Asanteman welcomed a Yaa Naa from the historic Kingdom of Dagbon in the north and to the coastal Kingdom of Anlo.
They have come in all splendour, in peace and brotherhood, not just to share in our moment of joy, but to remind us of our common heritage and the new spirit of peace and unity abiding in Ghana.”
“I would also want to let nananom know that on the 2nd of June, the next Akwasidae, we shall be hosting the Okyehene here. For 17 years, our brothers in Dagbon were in despair from a conflict setting brother against brother, and sucking resources that could have been better spent on economic development for the people. Through painstaking efforts and applying the centuries-old tradition, peace has been restored and we are able to welcome a new Yaa Naa to a reborn Dagbon.”
He noted that, “Last year, I invited the Awomefia of Anlo state, Togbe Sri III to come for us to ponder over the curious state into which political differences have plunged relations between our two people, we concluded that, there was absolutely no reason why politics should be allowed to undermine the state of amity that has existed between Asante and Anlo since 1824, on which we formalised when King Otumfuo Kofi Karikari and the King of Anlo entered into a sacred pact in 1865, never to lead war against each other.”
“That pact, led to the establishment of the establishment of the Anloga community, which still thrives in Kumasi. Today, Togbe Sri and his entourage are back with us to re-affirm our cherished friendship and remove any artificially contrived discord with the potential to undermine the stability of our nation.”
“We draw attention to the significance of the presence of our brothers at this Adae Kese because they provide the clearest signpost to a new spirit that is brewing in our nation, the spirit of a resurrected Ghana, united by common heritage and at peace with itself.
We feel that our bounding duty therefore, in the presence of our noble gathering to address a fervent appeal to His Excellency the President, our former presidents and elder statesmen and the leadership of political parties, who seek to govern our nation to let this signpost guide us to our true destiny, which is a vibrant Ghana, developing in peace and harmony.”
“Let us distil the rancour, the bitterness and the violence out of our political discourse and allow our nation to embrace a new era of peace. Therefore on this holiest day, we send a simple but powerful message to our political leaders, let peace rain upon our nation.”
Otumfuo Osei Tutu said, “On the joyful occasion and celebration of the 20th anniversary of my enstoolment on the Golden Stool as the 16th Asantehene, let me thank almighty God for his grace and mercies and the good health he has bestowed on me during these years.
I would like to thank Nananom of the Asanteman Council and my compatriots for their unflinching loyalty and support which have contributed to the relative peace we enjoy throughout Asanteman and indeed throughout our dear country, Ghana”.
“I ascended the Golden Stool on 26th April 1999 and have interacted with all five Presidents under the fourth Republican Constitution of the Republic of Ghana, i.e. their excellencies; President Jerry John Rawlings, President John Agyekum Kufuor, the late President John Evans Atta Mills, President John Dramani Mahama and currently, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
I take this opportunity to thank them collectively for their support and the courtesies they have accorded me and the kind words they have written to celebrate my 20th anniversary”.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all Ghanaians for their sympathies, prayers and support when I lost my mother, Asantehemaa Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem II in November 2016. Finally, to my dear wife Julia, let me thank you publicly for the love and support you have given me throughout our marriage. I could not have carried out the heavy burden of my responsibilities without you being by my side. I send my sincere good wishes to you all”.
In his remarks President Akufo-Addo on behalf of the government and people of Ghana; extended warm and hearty congratulations to Otumfuo Osei Tutu Ababio on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of his ascension onto the great Golden Stool.
“It has been an amazing journey for him so far, with his imprints stamped firmly on many aspects of the life of Asanteman, and, indeed, of our nation, the results of which are evident for us all to see.
Helping to ensure access to education through the Otumfuo Education Fund, joining the fight against the spread of HIV and AIDS, re-energising the institution of Chieftaincy, and, recently, as Chairperson of the Committee of Eminent Chiefs, helping to bring peace, at last, to Dagbon, and to install a new Yaa-Na, are but a few of his many achievements and successes as Asantehene”, he said..
“It is my prayer that Almighty God will continue to bless him with wisdom, good health, long life, and prosperity, and, certainly, many more years on the throne, and my hope is that our friendship will continue to remain strong. Once again, Nana Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, congratulations, and I am convinced that your best years and those of Asanteman, and, indeed, of Mother Ghana herself, lie ahead. Happy 20th anniversary! Enjoy every bit of it”, he stated.
On his part, Mr Ashwin Adhin, Vice President of Suriname, extolled the dynamic and selfless efforts of the Asantehene , everywhere he goes around the globe in wooing investors to Ghana.
He also commended Otumfuo Osei Tutu in making Black Africans no matter where they are feel at home in his kingdom in particular and Ghana as a whole.
By Oppong Baah, African Eye Report
