Asantehene honours President Compaore

Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu ll, yesterday honoured Burkinabe President Blaise Compaore, who is currently on a three-day visit to Ghana, with a grand mini durbar at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi.

The durbar was to give President Compaore and his wife, Chantal, a feel of Asante culture and tradition. Earlier, school children had lined up the streets from the airport to the Manhyia Palace waving miniature Ghanaian and Burkinabe flags to welcome the visiting President and his entourage.

President Compaore, who was accompanied Vice-President Aliu Mahama, was welcomed at the airport by the Ashanti Regional Minister, representatives of the Manhyia Palace, and Burkinabe citizens.

At the Manhyia Palace, the Asantehene, who was dressed in rich kente cloth, sat majestically in state surrounded by some of his chiefs. After welcoming the visiting president and his entourage to the durbar grounds and exchanged greetings, Alhaji Aliu Mahama, introduced President Compaore and his wife to the Asantehene and the gathering.

Then followed the ceremonial speeches after which the Asantehene presented the Burkinabe President and his wife with gifts. The gifts comprised rare pieces of Edwinasa Kente cloth and native sandals to match to commemorate the visit and solidify their friendship.

Addressing the durbar, President Campaore expressed gratitude to Otumfuo for the warm reception accorded him and his entourage and the display of rich cultural values. President Compaore observed that he came to Ghana on the invitation of President Kufuor to strive and sustain the long-standing friendship between the two countries.

He said the two presidents have strengthened their commitments to promote good governance and neighbourliness between peoples of the two countries and work more closely together than in the past to promote the welfare of their peoples. He commended the Asantehene for promoting good brotherliness among peoples of various origins and ethnicity in the country, and especially among Burkinabe residents in Ashanti.

He observed that the relations between the Ashantis and Moshies dates several centuries back and expressed gratitude to the legendary hospitality accorded them by the Ashantis.

President Compaore expressed the hope that the Ashanti civilisation, solidarity and dignity would serve as an example for others to emulate. On his part, the Asantehene warned that Asanteman would not tolerate foreigners who refuse to comply with the laws of the land and to maintain order.

He called on Moshies in Kumasi to try and co-exist with each other and eschew the internal wrangling that has characterised the Moshie leadership. He said the Ashanti Kingdom would entertain foreigners that are peaceful and prepared to co-exist with each other.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu described the decision of President Campaore to visit Kumasi as part of his visit to the country as laudable, adding that the visit was influenced by the fact that about 80 per cent of Burkinabe residents in the country are domiciled in Kumasi.

He commended the Burkinabe leader for the peace and stability that is reigning in his country and his efforts at strengthening peaceful co-existence in the entire sub-region and the African Union. Earlier at the airport, arrangements to welcome the visiting Burkinabe President to Kumasi were nearly marred but for the timely intervention of the Ashanti Regional Security Council.

Apparently, the Burkinabe Embassy had written to Alhaji Ahmadu Tapsoba, one of the faction leaders of the Moshies to organise Burkinabes in Kumasi to accord the visiting President a fitting welcome.

The other faction led by Alhaji Ibrahim Adbdulrahman, Chief of Moshies, would not take kindly to it and wanted to take centre stage. Mr S. K. Boafo, Ashanti Regional Minister who saw the danger ahead hurriedly organised a meeting of the REGSEC at the VIP lounge where a compromise was reached for each of the factions to choose some leaders to form part of the welcoming party.

At the residency, the problem arose again when one person was asked to deliver a speech to welcome President Campaore. Each of the two factional leaders wanted to represent the Burkinabes but the security stood firm and Alhaji Abdulrahman did it on behalf of the Burkinabe citizens.