Rawlings, Asantehene resolve Kumasi impasse

Kumasi (Ashanti) 2nd Oct '99 - The misunderstanding between the Member of Parliament (MP) for Bantama, Dr Richard Winfred Anane and the Kumasi Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE), Nana Akwasi Agyemang has been resolved.

Following a joint intervention by President Jerry John Rawlings and the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, a one and-a-half hours mediation was held behind closed doors at the residency in Kumasi on Friday end the conflict which has generated tension in Kumasi for some time now.

President Rawlings said after the meeting that the tension engendered by the accusations and counter-accusations by the two men would begin to fade away with the peaceful settlement of the conflict.

He praised the MP and the chief executive for demonstrating maturity, saying they both recognised that it is in the interest of the people to restore good relations between them.

President Rawlings said it became easier to narrow down their differences and find solution to them when the two put aside partisan politics.

He said Kumasi is a sensitive area and that if the people were to allow partisan politics to polarise them, there could certainly be a problem that could be beyond control.

Party politics, he cautioned, should not be pursued in a way that would degenerate into tension and conflict.

President Rawlings called on all Ghanaians to see to it that the progress achieved by the country over the years is not allowed to roll back by partisan politics.

President Rawlings said the amicable settlement of the conflict may not go down well with those whose agenda is to see the tension created inflamed and maintained.

He, however, made it clear that the security service is alert and would not permit that.

The president who paid a courtesy call on the Asantehene at his Manhyia Palace after the mediation was emphatic that he would not allow small- mindedness to create a gap between him and the Asantehene or any other chief in the country.

He thanked Otumfuo Osei Tutu for accepting to be part of the mediation.

On his part, the Asantehene praised President Rawlings for taking the initiative to find a peaceful settlement to the problem that had the potential for exploding into violent confrontation.

He explained that Dr Anane and Nana Agyeman during the mediation openly and frankly expressed themselves and agreed to work towards the promotion and sustenance of peace and stability in Kumasi.

The Asantehene reminded the people to recognise in all they do the need to work towards national peace and unity.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu advised the people to ensure that they resort to legal procedures in finding redress to their grievances and asked that under no circumstances should they take the law into their own hands.

He explained that he is there for all and that they should not hesitate in approaching him on all issues.

Dr. Anane and Nana Agyeman earlier told newsmen that there was no problem between them.

The MP, who was the first to speak, explained that, with the personal intervention of both the Head of State and the Asantehene, he could no longer drag the issue.

The Metropolitan Chief Executive said Dr. Anane is a friend and that the problem between them came about as a result of a misunderstanding.

He promised to work with the MP and the others to bring about peace and progress in the metropolis.

Present at the mediation were Professor Kofi Awonoor, Presidential Advisor, Mr Kwamena Ahwoi, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Kojo Yankah, Ashanti Regional Minister, and his Deputy, Mrs Joana Appiah-Dwomoh as well as heads of Security services in the region

President Rawlings and Otumfuo Osei Tutu later inspected the rehabilitation works at Kejetia.