You will fail

– Asantehene warns persons scheming to undermine and sideline Asanteman

By Elvis DARKO, Accra

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has issued a resolute caution against any individuals or groups scheming to undermine Asanteman.

He emphasized that any such plans will not succeed and will ultimately be detrimental to the progress of Ghana as a whole.

Speaking at Manhyia Palace in Kumasi during the ‘Kuntunkuni’ durbar to commemorate the Sargrenti War and receive return of some artefacts, Otumfuo reiterated the pivotal role of Asanteman in the country’s development and urged for unity and collaboration among Ghanaians.

He asserted that attempts to sideline Asanteman in Ghana’s forward movement would backfire, emphasizing the integral role that Asanteman plays in the country’s development.

The King highlighted the values of love and unity within Asanteman, noting that any schemes or plots against Asanteman would ultimately fail in the face of such virtues.

Asanteman welcomes people from diverse backgrounds

He reminded Ghanaians of Asanteman’s history of warmly welcoming and integrating people from diverse backgrounds, including Zongos, Anlos, Nzema, and Fantes, into their society.

He pointed out that chiefs of various settler communities participate in Asanteman Council meetings, underscoring the unity and integration fostered by the Asante people.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II questioned the motivations behind any attempts to undermine and sideline Asanteman, emphasizing the love and hospitality demonstrated by the Asante people.

He quizzed why the love demonstrated by Asanteman is being met with hatred.

He called for unity and love among all Ghanaians, stressing the importance of working together for the nation’s development.

Political parties cautioned

He expressed confidence that neither politicians nor religious leaders could succeed in sidelining Asanteman, underscoring the unity and strength exhibited by the Asante people.

Furthermore, the Asantehene admonished political parties to recognize that sidelining Asanteman would not bode well for them, cautioning against divisive tactics.

He reminded politicians of the finite nature of opportunity and urged them to prioritize peace and unity.

He cautioned them that if they win power and forget themselves, the consequences await them ahead.

The Asantehene called upon all Ghanaians to embrace unity and collaboration for the collective advancement of the nation, reiterating his unwavering commitment to safeguarding the interests of Asanteman while fostering national cohesion and progress.

While saying they are not more human than others since we are all one people, he warned that he will not permit anyone to short change Asanteman.

Addressing the youth, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II urged them to refrain from excessive drinking and the use of marijuana, appealing to them to channel their energy towards national development.

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, issued the caution when he received the first batch of the objects and artefacts looted from the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi during the Sargrenti War in 1874.

The objects, which were returned from the Fowler Museum of the University of California, USA, were presented by Dr Sylvia Fowler, the Director of the Museum, who led a delegation to Kumasi.

The items were being returned after extensive diplomatic negotiations and lobbying by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Dr Fowler told the gathering of chiefs and people of Asanteman during the ‘Kuntunkuni’ durbar to commemorate the Sargrenti war at the Manhyia Palace,

She said after critical analysis and diplomatic relationships, the board and management of the museum found it important to return some of the objects and artefacts to the Asante Kingdom, after 150 years.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu, sitting in state at the durbar, could not hide his joy for the return of the artefacts after many years of diplomatic negotiations and engagements.

Beaming with smiles, Otumfuo Osei Tutu looked closely at some of the objects and commended the delegation for the honour done him.

The treasures, which were stolen by the British colonialist during the war, had been kept in British and America museums for the past 150 years.

Many prominent people from Africa and of African descent had, over the years, called for the unconditional return of these creative treasures to their original owners.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu, who is celebrating the 25 years of his installation as the 16th occupant of the Golden Stool, had for many years engaged the British Monarch and Government, as well as the museums keeping the items, to return them to the Stool.

The return of the artefacts is, therefore, a joyous moment for the king, the chiefs and people of Asantemen (Asante Kingdom), who see these objects as part of their spirit and soul.