We salute you, Otumfuo!

Last Sunday was the climax of the 10^th anniversary celebration of the enthronement of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, known in private life as Barimah Kweku Duah, as the King of the Asante Kingdom.

The Sunday event saw a blitz aggregation of not only Asante culture and tradition, but also that of other ethnic groups and their pseudo-Paramountcy that have been created in the Ashanti Region to oversee their people.

The spectacle brought to the fore the peaceful co-existence of these ethnic groups and that of the Asante people. And that underlies the beauty of achieving unity in diversity.

The event was also graced with the presence of top political figures both from home and abroad. They included current President John Evans Atta Mills and former President Jerry John Rawlings. Although former President Kufuor could not attend the celebration because of equally important engagements abroad, it was a spectacle to behold President Mills and former Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama meeting, hugging and conferring in a very peaceful and friendly atmosphere.

It was the same with Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the presidential candidates of the CPP and the NPP respectively, and other political leaders. It brought home forcefully that Otumfuo’s celebration defied partisanship, with leaders of political parties and their supporters who joined in the celebration not only happily gracing the occasion, but also sharing in the excitement with hugging and other well intended gestures that suggested that we come from diverse backgrounds, but we are from one country. It showed how such a cultural and traditional platform can achieve for us the unity that we have struggled to realize through dialogue and diplomacy.

It was one occasion that momentarily every Ghanaian, in spite of their political affiliation, savoured without recourse to their political belief. Indeed, it was spectacular sight to behold. Aside the grandeur, we believe the high profile attendance of Otumfuo’s 10^th anniversary celebration underscores the endorsement of the many wonderful projects being undertaken by him since his ascendancy to the throne as Asantehene.

The Asantehene has since his enthronement put in place many development projects. These include the Otumfuo Education Fund, environmental sanitation issues and the resolution of many protracted chieftaincy disputes, particularly in the Ashanti Region.

He has also brought his traditional diplomacy to bear in other chieftaincy disputes in areas that are not part of his jurisdiction. That clearly shows how the Otumfuo is different from his peers who are either fanning or doing nothing to deal with many disputes that have hit their traditional areas.

He has shown the kind of traditional leadership that is required at our time and we say kudos to the Otumfuo for the modernity he has introduced into an otherwise moribund and docile chieftaincy institution.

The kind of leadership that will not shy away from taking issues with political authorities but encourage political leaders where necessary; a leadership that will whip back on course wayward Journalists; a leadership that has a stake in national discourse; and a leadership that is prepared to listen to divergent shades of opinion.

We believe the Otumfuo will continue with his wise counsel in the coming years as we look forward to a longer life for him, Asanteman and the entire country.

Again, we salute the Otumfuo and say Ayekoo, Nana.