Sempe Akwashongtse eulogizes Otumfuo for quest to deepen ties between Gas and Ashantis

The Sempe Muslim Akwashongtse, Nii Adote Odawulu I, has eulogized the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II in his quest to strengthen the relationship between the Ga State and the Ashanti Kingdom.

According to him, the visit of the Asantehene will not only bring unity between the Gas and the Ashantis but will also foster understanding and strengthen business relations between the two.

He said the visit will also be marked in the history books as the second time an Ashanti king has visited the Ga Mantse at a well-organized and colourful durbar held in his honour.

The Sempe Akwashongtse, who also serves as the Supreme Head of the Gbese Somneena family (Nii Doku III), made this known on the sidelines of the grand durbar where he joined other prominent chiefs and personalities to welcome the Asantehene on his visit to Ga Mantse, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II.

He stated that the first royal visit by an Asante king to the Ga Mantse was in 1946 under the rule of Otumfuo Osei Agyemang Prempeh II, adding that 78 years after that visit, it remains historic as it is unusual for such two great kings to come together on one stage to promote their heritage and culture.

This, he said, signifies oneness and prepares a strong environment for the Gas and Ashantis to do business with love for one another.

According to him, it is beautiful to see the Asantehene with his entourage of paramount chiefs arriving at the Ga Mantse palace, accompanied by his royal guards, displaying the Ashanti and Ga culture simultaneously at the national capital in this historic visit since Otumfuo Osei Tutu II ascended the throne 25 years ago.

The durbar, he noted, characterized by the cultural display and firing of guns, which identify the two kingdoms' heritage, deepens the bond between the people of Ga and Ashanti as one people.

The peak of the occasion was the performance of the special Obonu royal dance by some chiefs clad in their beautiful regalia to welcome the Asantehene.

Ahead of the arrival of the Ga Mantse, the Paramount Chief of Sempe, Nii Adote Otintor II, and his Muslim Akwashongtse, Nii Adote Odaawulu I, together with some paramount chiefs, queen mothers, and elders in the Ga State, traditional priests, priestesses, and the Asafos (warriors), all joined in their full regalia.