By Nicholas Osei-Wusu
The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu, has urged President John Mahama to take advantage of his renewed mandate as President to re-define Ghana’s political and development path as the country marks her 70th anniversary next year.
According to the Asantehene, seven decades of nationhood must be a chance to chart a new paradigm of national aspiration and development devoid of political acrimony, blame game, insult and replaced with a new nation founded on truth, tolerance, discipline, hard work, law and order, with a national plan to nurture indigenous businesses for self-dependency. Otumfuo Osei Tutu made the call in Kumasi at an event to recognise and honour him for his significant contribution to national peace.
The occasion was the World-Meets-in-Ghana Executive Dinner Ball to celebrate the impact of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu, on the promotion and sustenance of peace in Ghana. The event was also used to launch the rebranded Gold Coins with his image and approved by the Bank of Ghana.
The Gold Coins are in two weights, 14-ounce artwork signifying the major peace deals Otumfuo has successfully mediated from his jurisdiction and across Ghana while the 27-ounce artwork gold coin symbolizes his 27-year reign since ascending the Golden Stool as the 16th Asantehene in 1999. The event was graced by both local and foreign dignitaries including Ghana’s immediate past president, Nana Akufo-Addo and his Vice, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the Secretary General of the Commonwealth, 1st Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Bernard Ahiafor, the Chief Justice, and the Olu of Warri in Nigeria, Ogiamie Atuwatse.
The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu, assured that he is ready to work with every government, particularly in ensuring national peace, since, according to him, during conflicts, the worst affected are usually innocent people.
“There’s not a soul in Sasamo, Tuobodom or Bimbila who has a notion about the cause of the wars. And yet, there’s no single Ghanaian city, town or village and no African anywhere who’s not being impacted by the raging wars. Indeed, I submit that the heart wrenching suffering we’re seeing on the airwaves are only a tip of the iceberg. The true collateral damage to the innocent villages of the globe is yet to be measured. The innocent millions who’re the collateral victims in the world are crying in silence, and their cry of anguish and tears of espair can no more be ignored”, the Asantehene said.
The Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Administration, Nana Oye Bampoe Addo, who represented President John Mahama, eulogized Otumfuo Osei Tutu for his interventions that proved decisive in Ghana’s ability to resolve protracted and violent chieftaincy disputes such as those of Dagbon and Bawku, making him more deserving of the honour done him with the commemorative Gold coin.
She recalled, “when the Dagbon chieftaincy crisis threatened peace in Ghana, your majesty stepped forward. With patience, moral authority, the tireless dedication to the mediation process, that your majesty led, resulted in the historic enskinment of a new Yaa Na in January 2019 and this restored peace to Dagbon after decades of conflicts.”
“When Bawku threatened to become a national security crisis in Ghana, Ghana once again turned to you, your majesty. Month after month, your majesty convened the feuding parties here at Manhyia Palace. With the same calm, collected and dedication, you refused to give up on peace, for the sake of Ghana. When your majesty submitted the Bawku mediation report to President Mahama, in December 2025, the President said words which he truly means; Otumfuo has shown that he does not belong to Ashanti alone, he is a national asset”, the Deputy Chief of Staff stressed.
The Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Madam Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, noted tha peace goes beyond the absence of conflicts to involve the presence of fairness, voice to everyone, legitimacy and hope and therefore emphasised the need for mediation, dialogue and reconciliation as cherished values necessary for enduring peace.
She said, “we live in a time of sharpened tensions and deep uncertainty. Across regions, we see conflicts, mistrust, democratic strain, economic anxiety and communities unsettled by rapid change. Many people feel that institutions are becoming more distant, just when stability and re-assurance are needed most. The response to these uncertainties begins with leadership. Leadership that is steady enough to calm tensions. Leadership that is generous, enough to build bridges. Leadership that understands that dignity, dialogue and justice are not abstract ideals but the foundations of national and regional cohesion and lasting progress.”
The Asantehene used the occasion to honour some personalities including the Speaker of Parliament, Chief Justice, IGP and Chief of Defence Staff as well as some indigenous business owners for their contributions toward national development.
They were given gold medals and citations for some of them. Former President John Agyekum Kuffuor, Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo also were recognised and given citations for their respective contributions towards lasting solutions for the Dagbon and Bawku conflicts as well as some notable social interventions introduced by their governments.
The former Member of Parliament for Obuasi West, Edward Aning, bought the 14 ounce Gold art Coin for one million Ghana while a private businessman, Nick Danso, also bought the 27-ounce artwork coin for 1.5 million Ghana Cedis.
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Source:
www.gbcghanaonline.com