The Asantehene, His Royal Majesty, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has assured residents of the Ashanti Region of his unflinching resolve to protect their lives and interest from any external force.

The Asantehene says he will not sit down and allow his subjects to be maltreated by any individual or group of persons that attempt to threaten their lives and deprive them of their lands and livelihoods.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II indicated that as the overlord of the Asante Kingdom, he will not sit down unconcerned whilst his people are bullied and deprived of their property on their own lands.

Speaking at a function organized by the Ashanti Professionals Club (APC) last Saturday, the King of the Ashanti Kingdom expressed his displeasure at recent clashes at Tafo amongst some youths, and the protracted conflict at Agogo between indigenes and Fulani nomads, which led to the loss of lives and property.

His assurance follows a peaceful protest held jointly by some youth of Tafo and Agogo last week, upon his arrival from abroad, pleading with him to intervene to help resolve the conflicts plaguing the two communities.

He, however, called for calm and restraints from aggrieved residents and urged them to abide by rules and regulations, rather than taking the law into their own hands.

The Royal King also expressed his disaffection at the seemingly constant efforts by some section of the public to politicize his leadership by branding him as belonging to a particular political party, stressing that he would continue to work with all people irrespective of one’s political affiliation for the development of Asanteman and Ghana at large.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II noted that though he was far away in South Africa, he was apprised of every single detail of the incidents and pledged that he would ensure that lands and property belonging to Ashanti indigenes were protected.

“Upon my return I saw my people at the airport holding placards with inscriptions about what is happening in Tafo and Agogo. I want to assure them that I will continue to protect them, I won’t sit down for anyone to take the lands of my people away from them,” he noted.

NO POLITICAL AFFILIATION

The Asantehene also reiterated his commitment to work with all people, irrespective of one’s political affiliation, in order to advance the development of Asanteman and Ghana at large. Reacting to rumours that he was in bed with the sitting government and the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Otumfuo Osei Tutu II said his main interest was development, stressing that he has offered support to all the major political parties, especially the NDC and the NPP.

He recounted his early days of enstoolment as the King during the reign of former President Jerry John Rawlings and pointed out that even though the former President did not have personal affection for him, he later became a close friend with his administration and worked together in the interest of growth and development.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II further noted that he offered similar support to former President John Agyekum Kufuor and even admitted making personal financial contribution towards the political success of Mr. John Agyekum Kufuor.