The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has said that historically, the two Ghanaian tribes of Ewe and Asante are allies, and that must be maintained and not thrown aside in the name of politics.
Speaking during the 2022 edition of the Hogbetsotso festival, the Asantehene said distortions to history has adversely affected the Anlo-Ashanti relationship.
Otumfuo called for a restoration of history to allow for the relationship to be mended and get back to its strongest.
“Our people have become associated with differences in political choices to an extent that, that has injected some unwarranted mistrust and compromised the bubbly harmony conceived by our forefathers.” the Asantehene said.
According to him, irrespective of any perceived political differences, that must be set aside for the betterment of the two peoples.
“Clearly, it is only fair that we begin to debunk the myths and learn to separate the machinations, which drive the conduct of individual politicians from the roots of their birth or their religious orientations.”
The overlord of the Ashanti Kingdom added that just as the Hogbetsotsoza provided a period of reflection and soul searching for the settlement and resolution of disputes within families and among the people with the “nugbidodo” (reconciliation) rite, the Asantes and Anlos and the entire Ghanaian people ought to purge themselves of “past contaminants” to provide a healthy environment for discourses towards a united country.
The 2022 Hogbetsotso festival of the Chiefs and peoples of Anlo was held over the weekend, with this year’s festivities marking the 60th-anniversary celebration of the festival.
To mark its historic status, a tall litany of revered dignitaries appeared at the festival including the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, who appeared as the special guest of honour of the Awomefia, Torgbui Sri III.
This year marked the first time in history a sitting Asantehene graced the occasion.
Other honoured guests at the event include the Ga Mantse, Nii Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, Paramount Chief of Kwahu Traditional Area, Daasebre Akumoah Agyapong II and the current King Agorkoli of Nortsie of Togo.
Source: theGhanaianVoice.Com