Asantehene condemns tendency to whip up ethnic sentiments

Kumasi, March 19, GNA-Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, has condemned the attitude of some opinion leaders and politicians whose utterances and actions turn to whip up ethnic sentiments among Ghanaians.

He said such an unhealthy development was inimical to the inter-ethnic co-existence and therefore, called on Ghanaians, especially traditional rulers to be bold in resisting attempts by such self-seeking leaders to throw the country into chaos and mayhem.

The Asantehene made the call when he received a delegation of the chiefs and people of the Ho-Asogli Traditional Council, led by their President, Togbe Afede XIV at his Manhyia Palace in Kumasi on Friday.

Togbe Afede, was on a day's fraternal visit to the Ashanti Region as part of his programme of promoting friendship between the chiefs and people of the Asogli State and Asanteman and particularly, to harmonise the relationship between the people of Volta and Ashanti regions. Togbe Afede has already led a similar delegation to the Ga and Akim-Abuakwa traditional areas and several other traditional councils in the Volta Region.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu said, "In an attempt to gain the mandate of the people, some politicians and leaders have made it their policy to advance divisive tendencies amongst the populace to the detriment of unity and development of the nation".

The Asantehene recalled the peaceful co-existence that, for instance existed between Asantes and Voltarians, which, he said, dated back to the pre-colonial era when the Voltarians fought side by side with the Asantes against the oppressive colonial rule and freely inter-married.

He called for not only maintenance of that relationship but also sustenance of such links between the Asantes and the people of Volta Region.

Togbe Afede on his part commended the Asantehene for his good leadership skills, which has brought about tremendous improvement in the development of Asanteman and the nation as a whole.

"Even before I became chief, I was highly impressed with Otumfuo's leadership skills and qualities and pledged to follow his good example", he added.

He stressed the need for traditional rulers to double their efforts at promoting peace, unity and tolerance among Ghanaians to enable the country to sustain the peace it is currently enjoying.

Togbe Afede announced plans to establish a Volta Capital Venture Fund to help Voltarians to set up their own small businesses to improve upon their socio-economic conditions.