Otumfuo celebrates with Morocco King

Accra, Aug.1, GNA - Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene was on Sunday the Special Guest of Honour at the seventh anniversary celebration of King Mohammed VI ascending to the throne of the Kingdom of Morocco in Rabat, Morocco.

The Asantehene, who is on a 10-day visit to Morocco at the invitation of the King, was the first dignitary to shake hands with him as he sat in state in his palace to receive homage from his people. A statement from the Ghana Embassy in Morocco said Otumfuo Osei Tutu, resplendent in a rich Kente cloth and adorned with gold ornaments from his head to toe, was conducted into a specially decorated tent in accordance with Morocco's tradition to indicate the warm welcome after the fraternal greetings.

Otumfuo was joined in the tent by the Speaker of Indonesian Parliament.

A number of distinguished personalities in Morocco were decorated with medals by King Mohammed for their meritorious services to Morocco.

The function, which lasted for about 30 minutes in the late morning, was attended by members of the Diplomatic Corps, Heads of Government Departments and Organisations as well as members of Parliament. There were no speeches.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu accompanied by Mr Kobina Annan, Ghana's Ambassador to Morocco, and Nana Otuo Siriboe II, Juabenhene; Barima Akwasi Offe-Okogyeasuo II, Kokofuhene; Nana Ofosu Gyeabour II, Bechemhene; Oheneba Adusei Poku, Akyempimhene; Mr J. Osei-Hwedieh, Chief of Staff of Manhyia Palace; seven-member Horn Blowers and the Kwadwom Group, whose performance attracted applause from all the invited guests. Mr Driss Jettou, Prime Minister of Morocco, organised a reception for about 2,000 invited guests on behalf of the King at the Royal Golf Course, Rabat.

King Mohammed VI, the 21st Monarch of the Alaouite Dynasty, is the first son of King Hassan II. He was born on 21st August, 1963 and named Mohammed Ben Al Hassan.

The Alaouites are descendants of the Prophet Mohammed. Unlike previous dynasties, the Alaouites did not seize power, but were formally invited by the people to come to the then capital, Fez to take over the Kingdom. Moulay Rachid, the first Alaouite ruler, reigned from 1666. King Mohammed VI succeeded his father in 1999, after he passed away in July 1999. He is regarded as Amir al-Muminin or Commander of the Faithful.

He is the supreme representative of the nation, and the symbol of their unity.

At age four, the Crown Prince Mohammed Ben Al Hassan was enrolled at the Quranic School at the Royal Palace, where he pursued his primary and secondary education.

In 1985, the Crown Prince obtained a Bachelor of Arts (BA) Degree in law at the Mohammed V University in Rabat. In 1987, he obtained his post graduate degree in political science and followed it up with a Doctorate in Public Law in 1988.

In October 1993, he received the title Doctor of Law at the French University of Nice-Sophia Antipolis with honourable distinction. During his extensive schooling, Crown Prince Mohamed was entrusted with numerous missions abroad. He represented his father and participated in several regional and international conferences. Since his ascending to the throne, Mohammed VI has initiated wide ranging reforms in Morocco's political, economic and social sectors. These include local government reforms to ensure greater autonomy. King Mohammed has made reforms in the family law to grant equal rights and opportunities to women. An equity and reconciliation commission has also been established to go into human rights abuses in the past.