Asantehene participates in 20th anniversary of Asokore-Mamponghene

Kumasi, June 25, GNA - Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, on Saturday joined the Chiefs and people of Asokore-Mampong in the Kumasi metropolis to mark the weeklong celebration of the 20th anniversary of the enstoolment of Nana Boakye-Ansah Debrah, Asokore-Mamponghene. The Asantehene also used the occasion to commission of the 2.3 billion-cedi new palace complex for the Chief built through the sale of stool lands.

The palace complex has a storey-building, royal mausoleum, stool house, an arbitration courthouse and a durbar ground. Addressing a durbar in his honour, the Asantehene said he decided to attend the ceremony because of the good work the Chief had been doing for the people and the Kumasi Traditional Council.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu congratulated Nana Debrah for his untiring efforts and contributions in support of his people and the traditional council and urged him to keep it up, saying, "It is through our tradition that we are building Asanteman".

He said what the Chief had done was an indication that the chieftaincy institution had something good to offer the nation and that Chiefs must not be ignored in nation building.

The Asantehene stressed the need for other Chiefs to emulate the Asokore-Mamponghene and to refrain from selfishness, self-aggrandisement and greed and to work hard to provide facilities to enhance socio-economic development and peace in their areas.

Mr Emmanuel Asamoah Owusu-Ansah, Ashanti Regional Minister, who represented President J. A. Kufuor, expressed the hope that the Chief would live longer to help in the development of Asanteman. He urged Chiefs to continue leading the people to initiate self-help communal projects to support the government to accelerate the country's development.

Mr Owusu-Ansah praised the Asantehene for his efforts to develop Asanteman and the nation and called on the people to support and encourage him.

Alhaji Mubarak Mankata Mohammed, MP for Asawase, prayed for continued peace and unity in the area and asked God to bless those ready to help in the development of the country. Nana Debrah said he was overwhelmed by the Asantehene's visit because he only goes to the area during the 'Odwira' festivals.