General News of Thursday, 24 July 2014

Source: The Chronicle

Don’t draw me into politics – Otumfuo

His Royal Majesty, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, has stated emphatically that he is not a politician and, therefore, he does not support any political party in Ghana, as the impression has been wrongly created. He called on those drawing his name into politics to desist from that.

“I am the occupant of the Golden Stool, the symbol of the Ashanti Kingdom, which I head. My doors are open to all of those who come and seek my counsel," the Asantehene reportedly explained, while addressing a cross-section of the Ghanaian community last week at a colorful ceremony at the auditorium of Ghana Embassy in Washington DC, held to welcome him to the USA.

The Asantehene noted that: “I am there to make sure that my subjects have peace, are not worried about their education, are healthy and are out of poverty”. Otumfuo Osei Tutu advised them to respect and abide by the laws and regulations of their host nation and do away with any attitude that will tarnish the good name of Ghana.

The Ashanti King urged members of the Ghanaian community to support each other by showing unflinching love and care when the need arises, and also remember that Ghana is their motherland and called for more investment back home. He pointed out that land disputes in the Ashanti Kingdom have reduced drastically, following his admonition against the practice of multiple sale of the same land to many buyers because if his investigations find a chief guilty of the offence, he will not hesitate to destool such a chief.

Nana Kofi Boateng, the Asantefuohene of the Asanteman Association in the Washington D.C Metro Area, on behalf of the Association, expressed their gratitude to the Asantehene for the advice and for taking time off his busy schedule to meet them.

Nana Okokyeredom Tieku Acheampong, the Asantefuohene of Asanteman Association in New York, who is also the President of Asanteman Council of North America (ACONA) appealed to the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II to allocate a piece of land to the Diaspora to invest in the Ashanti Kingdom.

At the meeting were His Excellency Kobbina Koomson, former Ghana Ambassador to USA, Nana Agyeman Badu -Atipimhene, Nana Kwasi Abayie – Akomfrehene, Agyeman Duah- the Executive Sectary of ACONA and Nana Otimpie Aben II – Otumfuo’s Saasamohene Panin. Others include Nana Boakye Yiadom – Dallas, Nana Ama Achiaa – Asantefuo Hemaa of Washington DC, Nana Akua Kwah Kobi - Asantefuo Hemaa of New York, Nana Adu Opoku – Asantefuohene of Cincinnati Ohio and Nana Bi Yaa- the Asantefuo Hemaa of Cincinnati.