Otumfuo Osei Tutu II at the durbar
President Akufo-Addo yesterday expressed gratitude to the people of Ashanteman whose massive support contributed immensely towards his December 7 victory at the polls.
Speaking at the first Akwasidae Festival for 2021 at the forecourt of the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi yesterday, he said he was deeply touched by the massive love and support from Asanteman during the polls.
“But for the significant support of Asanteman, in terms of votes on December 7, 2020 there is no way that I could have won the presidential elections,” President Akufo-Addo openly confessed to the crowd.
He said he would make sure to reciprocate the colossal number of votes that he and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) won in Asanteman during the December 7 elections with massive infrastructural projects.
“I was at the Saint Cyprian’s Anglican Church in Kumasi this morning for a thanksgiving service and the Archbishop reminded me about the need to reciprocate Asanteman’s love and support with more projects.
“And I am stating here in the presence of the Asantehene that massive infrastructural projects are earmarked for Asanteman this year and the rest of my term,” the President said, attracting wild shouts.
Accompanied by a high powered delegation from the presidency, the President was at the palace to officially express his gratitude to Asanteman for their unflinching support during the polls.
Thanks Otumfuo
The President particularly thanked the Asantehene for his wise counsel and support, which to him, contributed immensely to make his first term successful, resulting in his electoral victory to begin another term.
He said he would continue to rely heavily on the support and wise counsel of the Asante King in particular, and the people of Asanteman in general, so that his second term would be more memorable and successful.
Calls For National Unity
President Akufo-Addo also said the outcome of the election of the Speaker of Parliament, where Alban Bagbin from the opposition political party won, should be a strong reminder for unity of purpose in the state now.
All the political parties, including the ruling and the opposition parties, he said, should embrace peace and unity so that together “we can introduce the necessary transformation to better the lives of the people.”
As the Commander in Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces, the President assured that he was ever prepared to work in peace with everybody, irrespective of their political affiliation to transform the country.
Calls For Blessings
The President also said he was particularly at the Manhyia Palace to seek for Otumfuo’s spiritual blessings so that his four years tenure would be successful and memorable for the country and its people.
“This is the first Akwasidae of the year and I believe my presence here before the King will help me to get the needed blessings to make my tenure successful,” the President, who was dressed in traditional cloth, said.
The traditional ceremony was graced by the Asantehemaa, Nana Ama Konadu Yiadom, paramount chiefs from Asanteman, the clergy, diplomatic corps and people from all corners. The event was marked with drumming and dancing.
From Fred Awuah, Kumasi