Kumasi (Ashanti), 22 March '99 -
Kumasi (Ashanti), 22 March '99 - Zongo communities in the Ashanti Region have expressed their profound sorrow at the death of Otumfuo Opoku Ware the second, Asantehene, and extended their condolence to Asanteman on the "great loss". They observed that the late Asantehene was not only a caring and loving father to Asanteman but to Ghana and the entire world, and the impact of his absence will forever be felt by all. The condolence was expressed at an emergency meeting held by residents of zongo communities in the region in Kumasi yesterday. It was attended by Ulemaus and Imams, some northern tribal chiefs resident in the region, zongo youths and the regional chief imam, Alhaji Amadu Churoma. Alhaji Abubakar Ali the third, Sarkin Zongo of Kumasi, acknowledged that the Zongo communities in particular will forever remember the late Asantehene, who they described as 'Father of all,' for the special concern he exhibited for sanity and development in the zongos. The Sarkin Zongo noted that if peace and respect for various religious denominations currently prevail in the region, it was through the singular effort of the late Asantehene, who worked relentlessly to ensure that there was peaceful co-existence between people of different faiths. Alhaji Ahmed, Fulani chief, recalled the initiative and peace- making role the late Asantehene played in bringing mutual understanding and peace among northern tribal chiefs in the Ashanti Region.
