The Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has praised the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, for his leadership and humility and for making history by being the first Asantehene in close to two centuries to grace the Hogbetsotso-za.
Bawumia made his comments during a speech delivered at the 2022 Hogbetsotso festival.
“I’ll like to take this opportunity to specifically thank and welcome His Royal Majesty the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and the Kwawuhene for making it to this festival,” the Vice President said.
According to the historical record, the last Asantehene to attend Hogbetsotso, the main festival of the Anlo people, was Asantehene Kofi Karikari in the 19th century.
“I can say that the historic record shows that the last Asantehene to be in Anlo was Asantehene Kofo Karikari and this was over 120 years ago. And therefore this is truly a historic occasion to have Otumfuo Osei Tutu II to come.
“We have been given the history by the Otumfuo that the relationship between Asante and the Anlo State, dates back to the 19th century during the reign of the Asantehene Kofi Karikari, when the Asantes, Akwamus and the Anglo states formed a tripartite alliance.” Bawumia continued.
Dr. Bawumia also commended the Awoamefia, Togbe Sri III, as well as the Chiefs and people of Anlo, for sustaining the Hogbetsotso Festival all these years, urging further that the festival, and other rich culture of the Anlo and others states in the country, should continue to be preserved as a legacy for unborn generations.
For his part, the Asantehene said there is historically harmony between the Asante and Anlo people and that been obscured due to political reasons.
“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.
Source: theGhanaianVoice.Com