We won't die - Rawlings assures Otumfuo

Former President Jerry John Rawlings has taken a swipe at the faceless people who recently peddled wild rumours about the death of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, stressing that the King will not die.

Mr. Rawlings also revealed that, just like the Asantehene, some friends wished him dead and assured the Otumfuo that, "we will not die."

Mr. Rawlings stated emphatically that the Asantehene would live long and continue to contribute his quota towards Ghana's development to shame his enemies.

He said the Asantehene's detractors would never achieve their aim.

The former President was speaking at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi where he and his wife, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, had led a group of investors to pay a courtesy call on Otumfuo on Tuesday.

Mr. Rawlings openly expressed his delight to see Otumfuo Osei Tutu II in sound health after weeks of wild rumours about his death and expressed his unflinching support for him.

Among the dignitaries at the palace were the Ashanti Regional Minister, Eric Opoku, Kumasi Metropolitan Chief Executive, Kojo Bonsu, and the foreign investors from three countries - Poland, Turkey and Scotland.

The meeting was held behind closed doors, but according to Daily Guide, the investors were in the country to invest in agriculture and steel manufacturing.

The Asantehene said Ghana is peaceful and conducive for investment and therefore appealed to foreign investors to visit the country and invest their money, noting that they would not regret doing so.

He lauded former President Rawlings for the vital role he played to restore the country to democratic rule, telling the investors that Mr. Rawlings was the right person to lead them to invest in Ghana.