Do not drag Asantehene into politics - ASUA

The Asante Students' Union Alumni (ASUA) has warned political parties against dragging the Asantehene into partisan party politics.

The warning emanated from an NDC TV3 advertisement in which the party used part of Otumfuo Osei Tutu's installation process as background. A statement signed by Mr K. Osei Amponsah, Secretary of ASUA, in Kumasi said the NDC did what in the thinking of ASUA should not be dreamt of by any well-meaning political party.

The statement said the said advertisement sought to draw Otumfuo Osei Tutu into a game which is far below his (Asantehene) status. The ASUA stated that it sees the action of the party as a gross disrespect to the occupant of the Golden Stool, adding: "How on earth can the party use a very important personality like our King in a political programme without first thinking of its implications?".

It said the Asantehene is above party politics and will not descend to that level of social activity, adding that ASUA demands nothing short of public apology to the Manhyia Palace and the occupant of the Golden Stool for the embarrassment caused them.

ASUA also demanded an unqualified apology from TV3 for carrying that advertisement on its network, and warned that it will decide the next line of action if this is not done.

"We demand that this apology be carried on that same network before the election date of December 7. We further advise that no political party should dream of causing our King this embarrassment again. This we shall not take kindly to," the statement added.