Otumfuos 10th Anniversary celebrations Pix

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, on Sunday called for due recognition for the chieftaincy institution, explaining that the noble traditional organ has a critical role to play in national development and cohesion.He said Ghana has demonstrated to the world that central governance can partner very effectively with traditional governance, and since his ascension of the Golden Stool as king, he and his elders have emphasized both locally and internationally, that traditional rule has a responsibility to partner central government and all its agencies.

Otumfuo made the remark when he addressed a grand durbar of chiefs and people of the Ashanti Kingdom, which was also attended by President J.E.A. 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 Mario Aznar, former Prime Minister of Spain.

Dressed in splendid kente cloth and several golden adornments and carried in a palaquin through some principal streets of Kumasi, Otumfuo, also called for the celebration of African civilization for its immense but inadequately documented contribution to world civilization, said Africans must be proud of their culture.

“In the past ten years, we have strengthened the institution of traditional leadership. We have used all the opportunities available to preserve and protect our culture and all its values. We have taken the institution outside the borders of Ghana and shared views and ideas with our counterparts in various parts of the world.

“During the period, we used various platforms offered to us in other parts of the world to emphasie the important roles traditional institutions in Africa, especially chieftaincy, is playing and can play in an era of so-called globalization.”

AU must recognise traditional leaders

He said apart from initiating debates at various forums on the need to position African traditions and culture in the dynamics of the globalization position.

“In fact we have even proposed elsewhere that the African Union should consider giving traditional authorities in Africa, a seat in their deliberations,” he said.

Otumfuo expressed disquiet over what he said was the impact of ‘modern journalism, where activities of traditional institutions such as in resolving disputes, receive inadequate coverage relative of the law courts.

He said he will soon outdoor a 10-year development package, explaining that it will serve as his kindgdom’s contribution to national development. They package will include ambitious programmes for Economic Development, a Savings and Loan Agency to help small scale entrepreneurs, ICT Education among the youth and the aged, Tourism, Sports and a private Royal University.

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Mills Returns

Mills Flies Out

Otumfuo Vists JJ

Rawlings: No vendetta, yes, but justice must prevail

Ex-President Jerry John Rawlings says the failure of leadership to sanction wrong doing is what corrupts societies more, and not the mere aberrations.

He said he agrees perfectly with President John Evans Atta Mills in denouncing vendetta by his administration, but it would be wrong and dangerous on his part to also let perpetrators of infractions escape justice.

Ex-President Rawlings who made the comments at his Ridge residence during a courtesy call on him and his wife, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawalings by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, said so many people, including him, have suffered unnecessary vilification and wrongs for which there should be justice.

He said on leaving office as president, he and others were perceived as wrong doers and made to suffer some aberrations, describing the instances as unfortunate.

“Nobody is asking for vendetta, we all want peace. But we must seek too for the wrongs.”

The Asantehene, accompanied by a retinue of his chiefs, was in Accra to visit President Mills at the Castle to congratulate him on his election victory and assumption of office as President of Ghana, and to invite him to Kumasi on April 26, 2009, to attend a durbar being part of activities marking his (Otumfuo’s) 10th anniversary since his ascension of the Golden Stool.

Otumfuo extended a similar invitation to ex-President Rawlings, who expressed his profound visit to the king for his noble visit, and described it as a symbol of the unity, peace and sense of purpose Ghanaians need to cultivate for nation building.

He implored President Mills to recognize the enormity of work on the hands of his administration, and urged him to seek the counsel of the nation’s elders, including chiefs, in seeking the best for the people.

Ex-President Rawlings gave hints of agitations in the ruling National Democratic Congress, and said he had just returned from a meeting of the party’s leadership where he reminded them that the party was voted into power by a party machinery run both by visible party people, and several others from without the party, and counseled against disunity.

On behalf of his family and party, he expressed gratitude for the King’s visit and promised to honour his invitation.



Story by Isaac Yeboah

Victorious Satellites present trophy to President Atta Mill

Players, management and technical teams of victorious African U-20 champions, Black Satellites on Tuesday arrived in Accra on Tuesday from Rwanda, and later presented the trophy to President John Evans Atta Mills at the Castle, Osu, in Accra.
The President warmly received the team and congratulated the players on their spectacular performance in the tournament.
”On behalf of the people of Ghana, we recognize your unique achievement.
“Rest assured that, we’ll give you some special bonus for winning this trophy,” President Atta Mills assured the team.
The President, a former Chairman of the Board of Directors of Accra Hearts of Oak praised the Satellites for their unrelenting spirit, which, he said, proved the kind of mettle they were made with.
He paid tribute to the past government for initiating the process that
led to the victory of the gallant boys.
President Atta Mills said the Satellites had done, not only themselves
honour by the triumph but also their families, friends and the nation.
“Ghana thanks you,’’ the President said.
Satellites Skipper, Dede Ayew said the team was happy to have brought the cup home.
He expressed thanks to the President for giving them the qualification bonus and said the team would work hard to clinch the World Under-20 tournament scheduled for Egypt next September.
The Satellites Coach, Sellas Tetteh said the win showed the determination of the boys to win the World Cup.
It was also a mark for many of the boys to graduate into the senior team, Black Stars and prepare for the World Cup next year.
GNA