Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene has implored the citizenry to accord the nation’s leaders the necessary respect to enable them to advance the cause of Ghana. He said it behoved the citizenry to be supportive of decisions and actions meant to uplift their standard of living and wellbeing since leaders in general represented the interest of the people. Otumfuo Osei Tutu said this at a Durbar to mark his 59th birthday held at the fore court of the Manyhia Palace on Wednesday. The event coincided with an award ceremony in which the Asantehene conferred the traditional title “Bosompra” on former President John Agyekum Kufuor for his dedicated service to the nation and the world in general. Seventeen other personalities were also honoured on the occasion and were all presented with citations. The Asantehene, recounting his ascension to the Golden Stool, pointed out that; “There were some difficulties in my nomination and subsequent approval as the Asantehene but I thank God that in spite of all these challenges, He had seen me through the last 10 years of my reign”. He thanked clergymen, traditional rulers, his elders and stakeholders who had stayed solidly behind him to ensure a successful reign. He promised to remain committed to the cause of his people. In a related development, the Centre for National Culture (CNC) on Wednesday donated a set of musical instruments to the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, at his Manyhia Palace in Kumasi. The donation included a set of “Fontomfrom” (Royal Drums), “Dawuro” (Gong-Gong), Talking and Armpit drums (Donno). Making the presentation, Mr. Samuel Francis Adjei, Director of the Kumasi Branch of the CNC, stated that the donation was a gift from the Centre to the Asantehene on the occasion of his 59th birthday. He praised the King for his contribution to the modernisation of Ghanaian Culture, traditional beliefs and practices, saying the Centre was impressed with the manner in which the Asantehene had enhanced the nation’s image through various cultural festivities and activities in recent times. “The recent display of the nation’s cultural heritage at the Grand Durbar to climax the Asantehene’s celebration of the 10th anniversary of his enstoolment deserves commendation and I anticipate that traditional rulers would strive to protect our rich cultural norms and values”, Mr. Adjei said. Nana Otuo Serebour, Juabenhene, who received the items on behalf of the Asantehene, thanked the Centre for the gesture. Source: GNA