General News of Thursday, 3 May 2018

Source: peacefmonline.com

Kneeling before Asantehene is a sign of respect - Wontumi

Chairman Wontumi was part of the NPP 'bigwigs' who knelt before Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Chairman Wontumi was part of the NPP 'bigwigs' who knelt before Otumfuo Osei Tutu II

Ashanti Regional Chairman of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako has confirmed that some bigwigs of the ‘Elephant’ fraternity had to go on their knees to apologise to the King of the Ashanti Kingdom, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.

He explained that their gesture was as a sign a respect to the golden stool and its occupant, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.

“We respect the King and under no circumstance will we disrespect him or tarnish his image. Kneeling before Asantehene is a sign of respect to him and the golden stool”, he said on NEAT FM’s morning show 'Ghana Montie'.

Reports suggest it was a tense moment at Manhyia Palace on Wednesday as NPP executives went on their knees to apologise to Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.

The NPP gurus’ plea for forgiveness follows an outburst by the Asantehene that there are attempts by some individuals close to government to pitch him against the Akyems.

Acting General Secretary, John Boadu and Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei Mensah, party Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, and Regional Coordinator of the National Disaster Management Organization, Kwabena Senkyire trooped to the Manyhia Palace to prevent the wrath of the revered Ashanti King on the governing party.

The entourage fell on their knees to assuage the King’s anger, praying for clemency at the open court of the Manhyia Palace.

Otumfuo’s linguist, Baffour Kantankrakyi at some point had to step in to intercede on behalf of the New Patriotic Party bigwigs who were still on their knees before the King.

Wontumi, as affectionately called in politics, however, told host; Mc-Jerry Osei Agyemang the party will investigate claims to avoid any future wrath from the King.