Otumfuo Osei Tutu II
THE ASANTEHENE, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, is expected in Kumasi today after his visit to the United States of America on the invitation of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in New York.
According to sources at Manhyia Palace, the official seat of the Asantehene, a private jet would fly the Otumfuo and his delegation from the United Kingdom (UK), where he transited after the UN speech.
DAILY GUIDE learnt that scores of people and groups from various backgrounds in Asanteman, particularly youth groups including Kumasi Youth Association (KUYA), are expected to give the king a resounding welcome at the Kumasi Airport.
Kwabena Frimpong, KUYA General Secretary, in a press release, congratulated Otumfuo on his thought-provoking address at the UN 20th Anniversary of Culture of Peace, which sought to empower and transform humanity.
He also stated that KUYA had planned in advance to give a rousing welcome to the Asante Monarch, for which reason he entreated members of the group and Kumasi residents in general to troop to the Kumasi Airport.
Manhyia Sources
Credible reports from the Manhyia Palace indicated that the Otumfuo would not take lightly the unprovoked and condemnable attacks on him from the camp of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) following his statement in the US that he helped to prevent Ghana from slipping into chaos following the heated presidential election in 2016 which then opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) unseated the incumbent NDC.
According to sources, the king, who is noted to be a peacemaker, would this time around not sit aloof for the NDC to try and defame him, especially after his impressive showing at the UN General Assembly.
Wave of Attacks
There have been waves of attacks on the Asantehene from the camp of the opposition NDC since he revealed at the United Nations Peace Forum in the United States that he had to intervene in 2016 to persuade Mr. Mahama – then incumbent President – to concede defeat in the 2016 presidential election.
The former Chief of Staff and current aide to Mr. Mahama, Julius Debrah, quickly issued a statement, saying the former President never wanted to hang on to power ‘contrary’ to the Otumfuo’s claim in New York.
Mr. Debrah’s statement, which was written on the letterhead of the Office of former President Mahama, contradicted the Otumfuo’s version of events in the heat of the 2016 election.
Adding salt to injury, a former Communication Minister under Mahama, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, said in an apparent reference to the Asantehene that ‘big men too can lie.’
Julius Debrah’s statement and the subsequent heated debate that ensued got Manhyia react furiously to the NDC attacks on the noble king.
After about a week of heated debate, Mr. Mahama then came up with a statement that appeared to broker peace.
Party Colours Banned
Meanwhile, political party colours have been banned at the Kumasi Airport during the welcome of the Asantehene and so all political party groups in the city have been urged to take notice and act accordingly.
Kwabena Frimpong, in the same press statement, said KUYA had information that some political parties in the city “are planning to meet the Asantehene with their political colours at the Kumasi Airport.”
US Trip
The Asantehene, during his short stay in the US, attended other important programmes at the UN and the World Bank, where he championed the growth of Ghana and Africa.
FROM I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr., Kumasi