Otumfuo Osei Tutu reassures Asantes of rectitude

Kumasi, Aug. 18, GNA -- Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene on Thursday assured Asantes of rectitude when he addressed the Asanteman Council on his return to Kumasi from Morocco.

He said: "I want to send a clear and unambiguous message within the constraint imposed by our dignity and the circumstances of the moment to Nananom and the millions of loyal Asantes and great institutions of the world that when I took the mantle of leadership of Asanteman, I knew the burden that had been imposed on me and so there is no way I am going to let my people down.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu said when he drew the sword 'Mpompomsuo' to swear the sacred oath of office he knew too well that he 'was carrying on his shoulders three centuries of a history shaped in battle, glittered with feats of incredible valour and strewn with the sacrifices of a great and proud people.

He said: "The glory of the Golden Stool is beyond the measure of anything that may be conceived or contrived and there cannot be enchantment capable of bewitching or entrapping one to dishonour this heritage."

Otumfuo Osei Tutu reminded the 63 Paramount Chiefs of Asanteman, who came from the Ashanti, Brong Ahafo, Eastern and Volta Regions and clad in "Kuntunkuni", traditional cloth that 93Asanteman was not built on a life of easy pickings. The heritage that has been bequeathed to us was built on the hard work, on the sweat and toil of our farmers, our timber men, our pioneer industrialists, our merchants and, indeed, our women."

He said: "This heritage is at variance with any tendency towards easy life and we all have to work to ensure that the traditional pride in hard work is sustained."

He said since he returned from his visit to Morocco at the invitation of King Mohammed VI; he had been briefed about what happened while he was away; apparently referring to an attempt Kwabena Amaning alias Tagor, who is currently standing trial for dealing in narcotic drugs, allegedly made to contact Manhyia to intervene on his behalf. Otumfuo Osei Tutu said: 93I can understand the anguish and the pain Nananom must be going through and I know what this must be doing to the morale and spirit of millions of loyal Asantes, as well as well-wishers at home and abroad.

The Mamponghene, Daasebre Osei Bonsu II pledged the support of Nananom saying: 'We trust you. We know your worth and I promise that you can always count on us as you move ahead to lead your people to glory.'