Torgbui Sri III, the Awoamefia of Anlo State, was the special guest of honour of Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II at the last Akwasidae for the year at Manhyia Palace.

The historic event marks the longstanding friendship between Asanteman and Anlo State as part of Otumfuo’s efforts to promote national cohesion and inter-ethnic harmony.

This is the maiden visit of Togbui Sri to the Manhyia Palace, and he went with an entourage of 170, comprising chiefs, queen-mothers and prominent people from his traditional area.

The Akwasidae Festival, which is celebrated by Asantes, is used to honour the ancestors of the communities. It is celebrated on a Sunday, once every six weeks.

Speaking at the ceremony, Otumfuo emphasised the need for Ghanaians to make the attainment of peace and unity an utmost priority.

According to him, Ghana is a unique blend of a people with a common heritage, but also with diverse characteristics.

“Like most African countries, managing diversities has been prone to negative influences, but we have demonstrated in our time that it is the mix of diversities which is, indeed, our greatest strength.

“This is the belief that has guided all our endeavours within Ghana to foster a spirit of ethnic harmony and mutual trust and understanding.
“It is the message we have tried to carry with us to the rest of Africa and beyond, that our common heritage is our strength and should help us withstand all the negative forces that may seek to divide us,” he added.

Asanteman and Anlo

Otumfuo recounted how Asanteman and Anlo had lived as brothers and sisters at all times in different locations without any difficulty, saying there should be no turning back.

“My uncle, Otumfuo Sir Osei Agyemang Prempeh II, had the extraordinary challenge of managing the full integration of Asante into what is now the united Republic of Ghana.

“He was always proud that [being the] statesman as he was, he was able to draw a great deal from the Awoamefia’s great uncle, Togbui Sri I, and from some of the eminent sons of the Anlo State.

“Otumfuo Osei Agyemang Prempeh’s personal physician was Dr R.E.G. Amraoti, one of the finest physicians and scientists of his time; and his lawyer was the renowned B.E.A. Tamakloe, who was to become the lawyer of Asanteman during the very difficult years before independence,” the Asantehene revealed.

The Asantehene referred to the allocation of suburbs in Kumasi to Anlos, as well as the allocation of some positions in the Asante Kingdom to Anlos, to attest to the fact that the Anlos and Asantes had no conflict between them.
He promised to attend the Hogbetsotso Festival of the Anlos in November next year, following a request from the Awoamefia.

Negative politics

The Asantehene expressed worry that partisan politics was building mistrust between the two peoples despite the long years of fruitful relations between Asanteman and Anlo.

“Happily, today, we have the opportunity to slam the door firmly to the purveyors of doom and discord,” he added.

Development

The Asantehene noted that since his enthronement, he had made the development of Asanteman the focus of his reign.

“We have promoted education and healthcare not only for Asanteman, but the larger nation state of Ghana.

“But we have also been acutely aware that a pre-condition for any development in any state is peace.

“That is why we have been unsparing in our endeavours to promote peace, eliminate discord and enhance harmony among all our people,” he stated.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu also thanked the Second Lady, Mrs Samira Bawumia, for gracing the occasion.

Awoamefia grateful

Addressing the ceremony, Togbui Sri praised the Asantehene and the people of Asante for the way and manner they had lived in peace with Anlos in the Ashanti Region and the rest of the world.

He promised to work to deepen the already existing peace and love between Anlos and Asantes.

Notable dignitaries who attended the ceremony were the wife of the Vice-President, Mrs Samira Bawumia; the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto; the Deputy Ashanti Regional Minister, Madam Elizabeth Agyemang; the Vice-Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Prof Kwasi Obiri Danso, and many dignitaries and ordinary people who paid homage to the Asantehene as he sat in state.