Asantehene to attend "Godigbe" festival

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, is to visit Aflao on Saturday September 30 to honour an invitation by Togbe Fiti Amenya the V, paramount chief of the Aflao traditional area, to participate in the annual "Godigbeza" of the chiefs and people.

He would be accompanied by a large number of chiefs from the Ashanti Kingdom. Speaking to the GNA on Monday, Togbe Fiti said the Asantehene's visit would offer him the opportunity the witness the rich culture of the people of Aflao. Togbe Fiti said the visit is aimed at bridging the gap between Ewes and the Ashantis and to promote peaceful co-existence among Ghanaians. Togbe Fiti, who paid a courtesy call on Asantehene when he visited Kumasi two months ago, said it was necessary that traditional rulers unite to ensure the socio-economic development of the country.

"The visit is the beginning of good relationship between the Ewes and the Ashantis for the development of the country at large," He advised traditional rulers to play down on ethnic sentiments since it could divide the people. "The Ashanti kingdom accommodates large groups of Ewes as Aflao also accommodates Ashantis here so the visit will tell our subjects that they are one people." While in Aflao, the Asantehene will join the chiefs to launch a 250 million cedi education fund and cut a sod on a large tract of land the Aflao traditional area has released for the creation of a new Akan township.

He would also interact with Ashantis in Aflao and also pay a visit to the Ghana-Togo border at Aflao. Other traditional rulers expected at the Godigbe festival include Nana Yeboah Afari Obuagyan the II, Obohene, Togbe Dagadu VII paramount chief of the Akpini traditional area and some chiefs from the Republic of Togo.