Beyond The Royal Embrace

Words cannot describe the kind of rapport and demonstration of unity between the peoples of the Ashanti and Akyem kingdoms, following the recent visitations of the traditional leadership of the kingdoms.

Barely two months ago, the Akyem overlord, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin II, stormed the Manhia Palace in Kumas with an array of his sub-chiefs to pay a visit to the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II. The essence of the visit was to invite Otumfuo to Kyebi for the 75th anniversary of the death of Nana Sir Ofori Atta, who is credited with the transformation of Akyem Abuakwa.

In fact, so warm was the reception in Kumasi that media reports said the two leaders played golf together.

That trip was reciprocated on August 23, 2018 when the Ashanti King also visited the Osagyefo at his Ofori Panin Fie palace as the Special Guest for the anniversary. He also went to Kyebi with dozens of his Paramount Chiefs.

According to eyewitnesses, the cultural display alone was a centre of attraction as men of valour danced to the tunes of cultural drums as the two leaders met to strengthen their ties.

The two traditional leaders, in their respective speeches, reaffirmed the strong love between the two ethnic groups. They said the two groups were the same, as they migrated from the same area and their leaders had constant interaction.

The two events were described by media practitioners and students of history as a clear demonstration of the brotherly bond between the chiefs and peoples of the two kingdoms. Some even said the trips had refuted claims by political observers that Ashantis and Akyems are in a ‘political cold war’, especially within the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).

A historical account says the last successful visit by an Asantehene to Kyebi was in 1742, as an earlier attempt in 1717 by Opemsuo Osei Tutu was scuttled.

THE PUBLISHER wishes to congratulate the chiefs, elders and peoples of the two kingdoms for further sealing the bonds of unity between them, and urges other ethnic groups in the country to also put their past behind them and forge unity with their neighbours.

In the view of the paper, what is left, beyond the open royal embrace, is for the politicians from the two traditional areas, particularly within the NPP, to swallow their pride and show the same level of cordiality for the common good of the country.

This is because anything short of a committed harmony at the political level will derail whatever gains the recent royal unity must have made.

It is time to erase the nagging perception of ‘Ashanti Hawks’ and ‘Akyem Eagles’ from our political frontiers.