Forgive your detractors – Christian Council tells Otumfuo

General Secretary of the Christian Council of Ghana (CCG), Rev. Dr. Kwabena Opuni-Frimpong, has pleaded with the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II to forgive those who have maligned his hard won reputation and speculated that he was dead while in South Africa.

Rev. Opuni-Frimpong said it is unfortunate that some people will have the courage to spread damaging rumours about a highly respected leader like the Asantehene without providing any evidence.

“We must learn to respect our leaders in all circumstances and know that they feel hurt whenever we speak ill or say things that are not true about them.

“We know that Nana and the entire Asante Kingdom are very hurt about all the negative things that have been said about him, and we ask him to forgive all those who have caused him pain,” he appealed.

The General Secretary made these statements when the Council visited the Manhyia Palace last Thursday to welcome the Asantehene back from his trip to South Africa.

It will be recalled that news went viral on various social media platforms that the Asantehene was dead when he visited South Africa recently.

According to him, we must be circumspect with the things we say about people who occupy high office in our country, adding that, people in such positions need respect and support to succeed in their assignment.

The Council presented a Thompson Chain Reference Study Bible to Otumfuo to guide him in leading the Asante Kingdom and also prayed for God’s wisdom, grace, protection and blessing to be upon him and his family.

On his part, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II thanked the Council for welcoming him and supporting him in prayer. He said, God’s grace has been sufficient for him and that has enabled him to withstand the various damaging things that have been said about him.

He clarified: “I never bribed the judges who sat on the 2012 election petition neither did I sell any of the stool ornaments that got missing in Norway.

“I am alive and strong by the grace of God, am not dead as speculated by some people. It is unfortunate that, when these same people who defame me get to know the truth, they do not come back to apologise or retract whatever they have said about me. I only leave them to God because my life is in the hands of God”.

“The news about my death and other negative things have rather encouraged me to continue to trust in God because He is dependable and will continue to give me grace as the king of this great kingdom,” the Asantehene revealed.

He asked the Council to continue to pray with him, adding that, his doors are always be opened for visitation.