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Otumfuo urges the AU to
give traditional rulers
a place in continental affairs
Audrey Micah, Ghanadot
Accra, April 27, Ghanadot - The
Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has called on the African Union
(AU) to consider giving traditional authorities in Africa a seat
in their deliberations.
He said apart from instigating debates
at different forums on the need to place African traditions and
culture in the midst of the
globalization process, a greater purpose will
be served if traditional leaders are allowed to be part
of the AU.
He said this when he addressed a grand durbar of chiefs and
people of the Ashanti Kingdom. The durbar which was attended by
an impressive cast of local and foreign dignitaries saw the
likes of Ghana’s president, John Evans Atta Mills and several
former heads of states and government, including Jerry John
Rawlings, Festus Gontebanye Mogae of Botswana, Olusegun Obasanjo
of Nigeria, Ahmed Tejan Kabbah of Sierra Leone and Jose Maria
Aznar, former Prime Minister of Spain.
Otumfuo was dressed in superb Kente
cloth and numerous golden adornments and was
carried in a palanquin through some principal streets of
Kumasi where his people cheered him excitedly, others who were
overjoyed to see him placed their cloths on the ground
to show respect, honor,
and affection for their king.
According to the Asantehene, traditional organ has a significant
responsibility to perform, so far as
development is concerned and as
amply demonstrated in GhanaGhana’s.
Ghana has shown the world the world that central
governance can partner very effectively with traditional
governance.
Ghana's most notable king called for
the celebration of African civilization for its vast but
woefully documented contribution to
world civilization, and added
that the time has come for Africans to be
proud of their culture and what they stand for.
The atmosphere was a joyous one, as the whole Baba Yara Stadium
was packed with well wishers and faithful sons and daughters of
Asante.
The stadium went berserk when the
past flag bearer of the New Patriotic
Party (NPP) 2008, Nana Akuffo Addo, was
spotted heading towards the Asantehene.
Dignitaries who spoke to Ghanadot said they were
impressed by the event and added that
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II had really
inspired and motivated many since he became the king of the
Ashanti kingdom.
These dignitaries pointed some of the stellar
achievements of the Otumfuor's administration. For one,
they said, he gave impetus to education with his Otumfuo
Educational Fund which among other benefits
has helped to shape the future
of those who received grants from the foundation.
As Ghanadot was talking one od the
diginitaries an announcemnt was made on the public address
system. This guest to the ceremony quickly said,
“…and you heard him say just now, a 10-year development package
is also on the pipeline to help the whole county, his Savings
and Loan Agency and the ICT Education and the rest are all good
ideas and that will go long way to help all. I must say I am
very impressed”, one of them said.
The celebration which started from the 9th of February, 2009,
has seen many activities including music shows, traditional
games festivals, football matches, communal labour projects,
performances by traditional priests and remembrance services.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II urged traditional rulers to rule their
people with vision, so that they can be able to direct their
followers to greater achievements.
Micah Audrey
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