By: KALD | Voltaonlinegh.com|
Rulers of two ancient traditional states in Ghana, Torgbui Sri III of Anlo and Otumfuor Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene has pledged their commitments towards deepening the already cordial relationship between the people of two areas to foster national cohesion and development.
The Awoamefia who was the Special Guest of the Asantehene at the celebration of the final Akwasidae of the year last Sunday at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi, according to a Graphic Online publication, was full admiration for his host, the Asantehene and the people of Asante for the way and manner they had lived in peace with Anlos in the Ashanti Region and the rest of the world.
Accompanied by a retinue 170 people comprising chiefs, queenmothers and prominent people from Anlo, Torgbui Sri pledged to sustain the historic tie as he opening invited the Asantehene to the 2019 Hogbetsotso festival.
Otumfuo in accepting Awoamefia’s invitation recounted how Asanteman and Anlo had lived as brothers and sisters at all times in different locations without any difficulty.
He however bemoaned the negative effects of partisan politics, which he noted was building mistrust between the two peoples in recent times and called for it not to fester further.
“We have had to contend lately with the negative effects of discordant politics which seeks to sow mistrust and set brother against brother,” he said, but added: “Happily, today, we have the opportunity to slam the door firmly to the purveyors of doom and discord.”
He mentioned the allocation of suburbs in Kumasi to Anlos, as well as the allocation of some positions in the Asante Kingdom to Anlos, to attest to the fact that the Anlos and Asantes had no conflict between them.
The Asantehene also recalled how proud his uncle, Otumfuo Sir Osei Agyemang Prempeh II, was at the time to draw a great deal inspiration from the Awoamefia’s great uncle, Torgbui Sri I, and from some of the eminent sons of the Anlo State, including renowned lawyer B.E.A. Tamakloe, who was his uncle’s personal lawyer, who later became the legal counsel for Asanteman during the very difficult years before independence.
“Ghana is a unique blend of a people with a common heritage but also with diverse characteristics. Like most African countries, managing diversities has been prone to negative influences, but we have demonstrated in our time that it is the mix of diversities which is, indeed, our greatest strength,”Otumfuor added and urged Ghanaians to make the attainment of peace and unity an utmost priority.
The Akwasidae Festival, which is celebrated on a Sunday, once every six weeks by Asantes, is used to honour the ancestors of the communities.
One unique feature about last Sunday’s Akwasidae was the blend of the rich diverse cultural heritage of the Anlo and Asanteman.
Also in attendance were the wife of the Vice-President, Mrs Samira Bawumia; and a host of government functionaries, dignitaries and ordinary people who paid homage to the Asantehene as he sat in state.
Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com/additional file from Graphic Online
Photos from Menhyia Palace Facebook page
