Asantehene thanks God for 20 years

General News of Monday, April 29, 2019

Source: Graphic.com.gh

2019-04-29

Yesterday, dozens of people joined the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, at a Thanksgiving Mbad at St. Cyprian's Anglican Cathedral in Kumasi to mark 20 years of his childhood.

There was also a strong participation of the clergy, including the Archbishop of West Africa's Anglican Province, Reverend Father Daniel Yinkah-Sarfo; a former moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Reverend Dr. Sam Prempah; the former bishop of the diocese of the Kumasi Methodist Church, Reverend Dr. Osei Sarfo Kantanka, and the archbishop emeritus of the Archdiocese of Kumasi of the Catholic Church, Mgr Peter Akwasi Sarpong.

Other members of the royal family, including the Asantehemaa, Nana Konadu Yiadom III, and the wife of Asantehene, Lady Julia Osei Tutu, also attended Mbad.

Former President Jerry John Rawlings and his wife, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings; the President of the State Council, Nana Otuo Siriboe II, Juabenhene, and Dasebre Osei Bonsu II, the Mamponghene.

The Speaker of the Majority in Parliament, Mr. Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu; Subin MP Eugene Boakye Antwi; Mr. Stephen Asamoah Boateng, Director General of the State Enterprise Commission, and Mr. Akwasi Opong-Fosu, former Minister of Local Government and Rural Development.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II was arrested on April 26, 1999 following the death of Otumfuo Opoku Ware II on February 26 of the same year.

Homily

In a homily, Bishop Sarpong congratulated Asantehene for his exemplary leadership which, he said, has done much to restore peace in Asanteman.

He said that Otumfuo Osei Tutu's leadership style deserved to be imitated and asked other Asanteman leaders to follow his style in order to bring peace and development to their diverse communities.

Reverend Sarpong said that Asantehene's humility and service to humanity had helped him succeed in his reign and implored him to continue to demonstrate the qualities that had made him popular.

The archbishop emeritus asked the leaders to live in peace with their subjects in order to bring about peace and development.

He emphasized the importance of peace which, he says, made God come down to earth in the form of Jesus to restore peace between man and God.

According to the prelate, holiness, mercy and forgiveness were three qualities necessary for peace and explained that for any community to enjoy peace, it must have these qualities.

He expressed gratitude to God for offering the inhabitants of Asante Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and congratulated Asantehene for having come to God to thank him for his mercy.

Most of Reverend Sarpong prayed that the Asantehene would have more prosperous years.

Otumfuo grateful

Asantehene, in turn, expressed gratitude to the clergy for their mbad participation in Mbad and in particular to Monsignor Sarpong for agreeing to deliver the homily.

He also thanked the residents of Asanteman, especially the chiefs, for their support and prayers over the years and prayed for the same support in the years to come so that together they could bring a development to the population.

He said that without their prayers and their support, he would not have accomplished much.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II distinguished his wife, Lady Julia, to whom he owed a greater share of his successes and accomplishments.

He advised his division leaders to always be humble in their direction, not to dominate the people and, above all, to always tell the truth, regardless of the consequences.