Otumfuo was never at risk - Manhyia

Kumasi, Dec. 15, GNA - Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II was never at risk during the celebration of Akwasidae in Kumasi on Sunday, neither was anybody's life threatened at the Palace, a source at Manhyia told GNA on Monday.

The GNA had asked the source to comment on an incident during which security details at the Palace seized a pistol from one of the bodyguards of Former President Jerry John Rawlings as he went to greet Otumfuo Osei Tutu at the durbar grounds on arrival.

Former President Rawlings and his wife Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings left the palace at about 1730 hours after they had had lunch with Otumfuo Osei Tutu at Otumfuo's residence inside the palace, and did not leave immediately after the incident, as reported in a section of the media.

The source said Otumfuo Osei Tutu invited Former President Rawlings for the celebration and, therefore, it should to not be portrayed as if the man went there uninvited.

Asked to comment on the pistol-carrying bodyguard of Former President Rawlings, the source retorted: "Master, was the bodyguard expected to carry a catapult?"

Security details at Manhyia accosted a bodyguard of Former President Rawlings and collected a pistol he was holding from him. The incident caused a momentarily hold up but was soon resolved. Last Sunday's Akwasidae formally ended the traditional Asante calendar year.

At the end of the function, Otumfuo Osei Tutu went round to exchange pleasantries with all the invited guests, including President John Agyekum Kufuor, who graced the occasion.