British High calls on Asantehene

Kumasi, Jan 22, GNA - Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, has praised the British government for the budgetary support that it had been giving Ghana for a number of years to enable the government strengthen her economy.

He said this had encouraged Ghanaians to pursue democracy by improving its human rights record as well as allowing people to express themselves freely and reduce poverty. Otumfuo Osei Tutu said this when Mr Nicholas Westcott, British High Commissioner in Ghana, paid a courtesy call on him at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi.

He said Ghanaians and Africans in general were expecting the Electoral Commission (EC) to conduct credible elections in December and appealed to the government to ensure that the EC was allowed to conduct transparent and credible elections so that the country would continue to enjoy peace.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu said traditional rulers were concerned about the welfare of their people and that was why they always advocated peace and unity among their subjects.

"While politicians come for only a four-year term and leave the scene, chiefs are always with their people." The Asantehene said he was interested in settling the numerous chieftaincy disputes out of court so that his people would live in unity.

Mr Westcott delivered a message from Queen Elizabeth II to the Asantehene and said he was hopeful that the relations between Manhyia and the Buckingham Palace would grow from strength to strength. He said he had a lot to learn in Ghana during his duty tour and gave the assurance that he would continue to work hard to strengthen the relationship between the two countries and contribute to the growth of the economy.

Mr Westcott was accompanied to the Manhyia Palace by Mr Gary Ncholls, Second Secretary, Political, Press and Public Affairs Officer at the British High Commission, who has ended his duty tour in Ghana. On behalf of Asantehene, Oheneba Adusei Poku, Akyempimhene, presented Mr Ncholls with a tie-pin depicting Otumfuo's crown.