Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams has applauded Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and Okyehene Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin II, for the brotherliness and unity they showed at the 75th anniversary of the death of Nana Ofori-Atta I (Nana Sir Ofori-Atta I).
The Asantes and Akyems, known to be centuries-old traditional, cultural and political rivals, on Thursday, 23 August 2018 made history when their two traditional leaders met, hugged, shook hands and dined together during the anniversary at Kyebi.
That occasion marked an extraordinary moment in the history of the two perceived rivals.
Reacting to that development in a sermon in Accra on Sunday, 26 August 2018, Archbishop Duncan-Williams said what the two traditional leaders did, was “good”.
While praying, the founder and leader of the Christian Action Faith Ministries, said: “We pray for the Asantehene and the Okyehene; what they did is good, that is a good sign of unity for them to come together. For the Asantehene, the Otumfuo to go to Kyebi with the Okyehene is a good sign, let’s thank God for that.”
In 1717 – 301 years ago – Asantehene Opemsuo Osei Tutu’s boat was sunk in the Pra River by Okyeman warriors after his army had routed the Denkyira Empire. That incident, according to historians, marked the beginning of the Asante-Akyem rivalry.