Akufo-Addo meets Otumfuo over reports of denigrating comments

Joy News is reliably informed President Akufo-Addo travelled to Kumasi on Monday night to meet with the Asantehene over reports that members of his government are seeking to denigrate his stool.

The meeting was held behind closed doors between the President and Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, on Tuesday morning

Erastus Asare Donkor confirmed that the National Security Minister, Kan Dapaah and some other Ministers were in the meeting, but could not tell if the President’s Secretary and lawyer, Nana Asante Bediatuo as well as his cousin, Gabby Asare Otchere Darko, were present.

The two were reportedly fingered by the Asantehene as he issued a warning against comments by some individuals close to the government, who are reportedly pitching Akyems against Ashantis.

It was a tensed moment at Manhyia Palace last Wednesday as executives of New Patriotic Party (NPP) went on their knees to apologise to Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.

Acting General Secretary, John Boadu and Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei Mensah, party Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, and Regional Coordinator of the National Disaster Management Organization, Kwabena Senkyire trooped to the Manyhia Palace pleading with the revered Ashanti king to spare the governing party his wrath.

Mr Boadu was also at the Palace to secure Otumfuo’s blessing in his bid to secure confirmation as General Secretary of the NPP ahead of the party's national executive elections.

Although details of the meeting are sketchy, aides to the Asantehene have given the clearest indication yet of a resolution of the impasse between government and the Manyhia Place.

Bantamahene, Baffour Owusu Amankwatia, told Joy News’ Ohemeng Tawiah that the Asantehene sees everyone as his grandson.

“If your grandson offends you and comes along to apologise, I don’t think you will be that strong headed to say you won’t accept.

“But we will really want to send notice to everyone that as much as we respect our head of state and everybody who occupies any position in this country, we want people to respect our king,” he said.

The Bantamahene was emphatic that for the Ashantis, their king comes first in everything, assuring the kingdom will reciprocate mutual respect.