Ashantis, Akyems Not Enemies-Otumfuo
THE ASANTEHENE, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has refuted claims of perceived rivalry between the Ashantis and Akyems.
He said both the Ashantis and the Akyems are from the same stock-Adanse, a reason they could not be said to be enemies.
According to him, the people of Asanteman and Akyem Abuakwa have remained brothers in the past.
He recounted the roles that the past leaders of Asanteman and Okyeman played to better the lives of their people, saying that the cordial relationship they would be maintained.
Asante-Akyem
Tracing the historical background of the two tribes, the Otumfuo noted that Asante-Akyem relationship had been in existence for ages.
Speaking at a colorful durbar of chiefs and people of Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Area to mark the 75th anniversary since the passing of Nana Ofori Atta I, the Asantehene said the late Okyenhene played a key role towards the release of Agyeman Prempeh I from exile in the Seychelles.
The 16th occupant of the Golden Stool was in the Kingdom as the Special Guest at a durbar in memory of the late Ofori Atta who died in 1943 at age 62.
When an Asantehene tried to step foot in Okyeman some 301 years ago, one shot sunk the warrior into a watery grave in the Pra river.
The Asantehene and Okyenhene embraced each other as a gesture of peace and oneness after which they held a closed-door meeting for about 30 minutes, before moving to the colourful durbar ground.
Otumfuo also called for fresh constitutional review to enable chiefs to play active roles in nation building.
According to him, the formulators of Ghana’s constitution made a terrible mistake by putting away the country’s rich culture and adopting foreign culture.
He said before the British colonized the country, chiefs were ruling their people with standard democratic principles, which ensured growth.
The Asantehene was of the view that the country would experience massive growth if Ghana’s rich culture and values were not discarded.
“We are not developing the away we should be as a country and this is partly due to the fact that our rich traditions and values have been thrown away.
“The foreign culture and way of governance that we have embraced in full at the detriment of our traditions is not helping us to grow as a country”.
According to him, the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi is the hub of democracy, saying that nobody can tell him that the colonial masters know democracy than Ghana chiefs.
“At my court in the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi democracy is practiced to the core in that even people who are punished still offer thanks because the process was transparent and fair”.
The Asante King stated that traditional leaders are still important for national growth therefore the constitution should give them more recognition and powers.
Okyenhene
The Okyenhene, Osagyefuo Amotia Ofori Panin in a message said the Otumfuo is his brother.
He also used the occasion to dispel reports that there is an unhealthy rivalry between him and the overlord of the Asante Kingdom.
The Okyenhene said he continues to work closely with the Asantehene to help accelerate national development and bring prosperity.
He therefore entreated the people not to believe wild reports that he and the Asantehene doesn’t see eye to eye.
“The Asantehene is my brother and I will continue to work closely with him in the interest of our people.
President Nana Akufo-Addo and his wife and ex-President Rawlings and his wife, were at the durbar grounds
FROM Kwadwo Essel, Kyebi
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