Otumfuo renders Accounts …To Asanteman

THE ASANTEHENE, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, marked his 20 years reign on the Golden Stool at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi on Sunday, amid pomp and pageantry.

Displaying absolute authority, the Asante Monarch was carried in a palanquin from the Apagyafie to the Manhyia Palace, where a big durbar was held in his honour.

Ideally, a trip from the Apagyafie to the Manhyia Palace takes about 10 minutes of walking, but Otumfuo’s entourage spent nearly one hour before touching down at the durbar grounds.

Otumfuo, who from his demeanour was excited, intermittently danced to the ‘Fontonfrom’ being played in the background.

Scores of people that had lined up the streets to catch a glimpse of him were heard chanting “King Solomon, King Solomon”.

Splendidly dressed in Kente and gold ornaments, the Asantehene periodically waved back to the charged crowd, who followed his huge entourage.

Renders Accounts 

In his address, Otumfuo recounted the immense benefits that Asanteman and Ghana had gotten from his reign in the last two decades.

Virtually an account, he said the ‘Otumfuo Education Fund’, which he established, had helped the country in the area of human resource development. He also mentioned the Kumasi Central Market/Kejetia project and the revived Obuasi Anglogold Mines as some of his major achievements.

According to him, he had also touched the lives of many in such areas as education, health, water and the environment.

Charges Chiefs 

Otumfuo also tasked traditional leaders to assist the government to expedite its developmental agenda to better the lives of the people.

He said chiefs should be seen as agents of positive change and transformation, stressing that traditional leaders should focus on the development of their jurisdictions.

Warns Politicians

The Asantehene sternly cautioned politicians to do away with politics of insults and violence in order to help protect the peace of the country.

The 16th Asante Monarch told politicians that the country can be developed only when there is peace and unity.

Dignitaries

Mr. Ashwin Adhin, Vice President of Suriname, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and his wife and Vice President Dr. Bawumia and his wife, were present.

Also in attendance were former Presidents John Agyekum Kufuor and John Dramani Mahama, ex-First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, the Asantehemaa, Nana Ama Konadu III, Lady Julia Osei Tutu, wife of the Asantehene, and many respected traditional leaders across Africa.