Mills sends high powered delegation to Manhyia

Kumasi, March 16, GNA - A high-powered government delegation on Tues= day met with the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II at his Manhyia Palace as efforts to calm the mounting tension between the Asante Kingdom and the Techimanhene gathered momentum.

This came barely 24 hours after the Asantehene had publicly expressed anger at the abduction and subsequent shabby treatment of the Omanhene of Tuobodom by the chief of Techiman and called for decisive action by the Government.

The atmosphere at Manhyia as the delegation and the Asante King were locked in discussions behind closed doors was tensed with a crowd of muscular looking young men chanting war songs.

Brigadier Nunoo Mensah, (Rtd), the National Security Advisor, who led the delegation told newsmen that the meeting went well, saying, they had ha= d fruitful discussions.

He said he was confident that the Asantehene would exercise restraint and appealed to Asanteman to sustain the peace.

The National Security Advisor said he has every reason to believe that Otumfuo Osei Tutu would ensure that peace prevailed.

He vowed that full investigations would be conducted into the matter and that the law would take its course.

The Asantehene conveyed his appreciation to the Government for the intervention.

He said although the Asante nation was built through wars, the situation has now changed and that the focus presently was on peace-buildin= g and development.

The Ashanti Regional Security Council had earlier in the day also met with the Asantehene. An irate group of young men had in the afternoon stormed the Kajetia Lorry Terminal in Kumasi to prevent Techiman-bound vehicles from operating there.

Techiman and Tuobodom fought fierce gun battle on Friday, March 5, resulting in three deaths, and four others, who were critically wounded, including a policeman.

This was sparked off by the alleged abduction of the Tuobodomhene, Nan= a Asare Baffour, and some of his elders at the orders of the Techimanhene, whilst attending court hearing at Wenchi. The delegation is expected to travel to Sunyani.