Otumfuo empowers President Mills

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II with President Mills ASANTEHENE, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has urged President John Evans Atta Mills to be courageous and not be deterred by detractors as he pursues his goals to change the destiny of Ghanaians who voted for him.

He reminded president Mills of the arduous task ahead of his government for the next four years to improve the living conditions of the people and that there was no time to listen to detractors.

The Asantehene said this yesterday when he stormed the Osu-Castle with all his paramount chiefs from the Asante Kingdom including Brong-Ahafo and Worawora in the Volta Region to congratulate President John Evans Atta Mills for winning the last elections.

The historic visit was also to formally inform the President of the 10th Anniversary celebration of the Asantehene's ascension to the Golden Stools and invite the President as the Guest of Honour to the grand durbar slated for April 26, 2009 in Kumasi.

Otumfuo reminded President Mills that his government was given a four-year mandate to rule to change the destiny of the people for the better and that depending on his achievement, the same people would have every cause to retain him or otherwise.

He said the mandate included prudent financial and other management of the nation's resources, improvement in education and the total transformation of the economy for the majority of the people to benefit.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II mentioned that those tasks could only be achieved if the government was honest, truthful to the people and operated an open door policy.

He said Ghanaians chose President Mills as the president of Ghana over other contestants in the last elections as a sign of the growth of democracy in Ghana which ought to be jealously guarded to ensure its elasticity.

The Asantehene lauded the president for his humility, recounting the early periods of his kingship when the current President was the vice-president to former president Jerry John Rawlings.

He pledged to support the government of President Mills to bring development to the people.

Otumfuo urged Ghanaians, especially politicians who have been given responsibilities to exercise such responsibilities with care and not lord it over the people.

Addressing Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and his entourage, President Mills commended the Asantehene for bringing honour to his kingdom, especially his quest to improve education in Ghana, job creation and care for his people.

He said those objectives were no different from that of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and that the government would team up with the Asantehene to ensure the realization of those dreams.

Prof. Mills described Asantehene as “insightful, objective, advisor, counselor, friend and a dependable person”; virtues that are needed by every leader to lead their people.

The president indicated that job creation, security and improvement in the country would not be limited to a particular region or group of people but it would be a development for all.

President Mills assured the Asantehene of cooperation with the traditional rulers to develop the country and wished that Ghanaians would benefit from the rich experience of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.

He as well assured the Asantehene that he would attend the grand durbar in Kumasi with other dignitaries.

In his contribution, the Chief of Staff, John Henry Martey Newman recounted his earlier contact with the Asantehene when he (Chief of staff) was then the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Cocoa Board and the pieces of advice he received from the King.

He recalled that the Asantehene told him that the majority of Ghanaians should not allow few politicians to hold the country at ransom.

Nana Otu Siriboe, Juabenhene outlined plans for the celebration and indicated that foreign dignitaries including presidents, Heads of States and Monarchs from the continent were billed to attend the grand durbar.

The Asantehene and his entourage were expected to visit the two former presidents; Mr. Rawlings and Mr. John Agyekum Kufuor at their residences.

Present at the meeting were Prof. Kofi Awoonor, Chairman of the Council of State, Dr. Christie Amoako-Nuamah, office of the president, Ambassador Victor Gbeho, Brigadier-General Nuno-Mensah, National Security Advisor, Bebaako Mensah, Secretary to the President, Alex Segbefia and Mahama Ayariga.

By Wisdom Peter Awuku