Ex-President John Agyekum Kufuor was among the top-notch people in society that attended a thanksgiving service to thank God for the Asantehene’s 15-year reign.

The forecourt of the Manhyia Palace, venue for the non-denominational thanksgiving service, was temporarily turned into a prayer grounds as believers prayed fervently for Osei Tutu II and Ghana.

Dressed in a nicely woven cloth, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and his wife, Lady Julia, were present at the religious ceremony, which was graced by seasoned men of God in the country.

Most Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Asante, Presiding Bishop, Methodist Church of Ghana, who preached the sermon, described Otumfuo as a precious gift from God to Ghana.

According to him, the Asantehene had played vital roles, especially, behind the scenes, which had contributed to the protection of the peace of the country, and so the citizenry should thank God for Otumfuo’s life.

Most Rev. Prof. Asante stated that God had blessed Otumfuo with abundance of wisdom that had contributed to the huge success of his reign, praying to God to continually bless him.

He said the Asantehene believed that, as a king, he was participating in the kingship of the Almighty God, hence his decision to organize the non-denominational service at the palace.

The attendants of the religious ceremony prayed fervently for God to sustain his blessings for Otumfuo Osei Tutu II in the years ahead and similar prayers were said for Ghana and other important people in the country.

Addressing the gathering, the Asantehene said he had depended on God for direction since he ascended the throne, saying he attributed his successes to God and nobody else.

The Asantehene said his heart desire was for God to continually bless him so that he could help create jobs for the youth and also maintain Ghana’s peace and unity in the years to come.

Otumfuo, therefore, appealed to men of God in the country to support him with fervent prayers so that he could realize his great ambition for the betterment of Asanteman and Ghana.

He said before he ascended the throne he made a promise to himself and Asanteman that he would steer his affairs as king in truth and that was exactly what he was doing.

The Asantehene showered praises on his dear wife, Lady Julia, for her unflinching support and help, which had contributed to his successful reign, thanking God for her life.

He also commended former President Kufuor and the chiefs and people of Asanteman for standing behind him through thick and thin to make his reign memorable.

The religious event was characterized by the singing of gospel tunes with intermittent prayers offered for the Asantehene, Ghana and the local council of Christian churches among others.

Meanwhile, a photo exhibition about the Asantehene’s 15 years on the Golden Stool has been opened at the Manhyia Palace.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II with support from ex-President Kufuor and some top men of God officially opened the photo exhibition on Saturday afternoon.

The photo exhibition formed part of a series of activities lined up by the Manhyia Palace to celebrate Otumfuo’s 15 years on the throne.