Kumasi, Jan 8, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor, Ministers of State and members of the Asanteman Council defied a heavy downpour to attend a dinner organised by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi on Saturday night.

The annual event, which was also graced by a cross-section of the general public, was nearly marred as a result of torrential rains throughout the night.

In what was anticipated to be a last minute cancellation of the event, the invited guests trooped to the forecourt of the Palace and treated themselves to songs by Nana Tuffour and Amakye Dede, two renowned high-life musicians.

In an interview with the Ghana News Agency, Mr George Osei-Antwi, Media Relations Manager of the Manhyia Palace, said the event formed part of moves to foster unity among traditional rulers, Ministers of State and the public.

He said the event was also to serve as a platform by the Asanteman Council in taking stock of last year's activities with the view to formulating new ideas to enhance their activities this year. Mr Osei-Antwi commended the invited guests for having defied the rains and attended the programme, stressing that there was the need for the organisation of such programmes to promote friendship and good neighbourliness among the citizenry if the country were to consolidate the peace being enjoyed.