The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II says nobody can dare accuse him of taking bribe in his dispensing of justice in his 25years reign as the Overlord of the Ashanti Kingdom.
Speaking in church at his 74th Birthday thanksgiving service held in Kumasi as part of activities marking his 25th Anniversary celebration on the Ashanti Golden Stool, Otumfuo extolled God for his protection over his life and his immediate family for the past 25 years when Asanteman enstooled him as the overload of the Ashanti Kingdom.
He said: ”In the last 25 years I have gone through a lot in the country. A lot has been said about me but I was not worried about anything they said because my focus has always been on speaking the truth to promote fairness in the country. I have always been thankful to God for bestowing wisdom on me for fair judgment in any case that came before me for peaceful resolution,’’ he praised God.
Otumfuo further said: “It has always been my prayers before God that I may not discriminate against any individual in the country. I pray for God’s wisdom that comes with integrity, fairness to promote national peace and co-existence in all my dealings with people in the interest of Asanteman and Ghana’’ he said.
He explained: “At where the Lord has placed me the Golden stool takes care of me so I don’t need your money before I can make a reasonable fair judgment before handling issues under my control to promote peace and unity. No individuals in my 25 years reign as the Asantehene can dare say I have taken money from them before passing judgment in their favor on any dispute brought before me. No one in the world can say that against me you can’t dare come before me to bribe me. I’m saying all this to the glory of God,’’ he said.
He further stressed “I’m saying all this to seek for more years and blessings from God to lead me to do more for Asanteman and Ghana in general in the years ahead of me. All that I’m praying for is Wisdom and a sense of bravery and the spirit of I can do from God’’ he prayed.
The Ashanti Monarch therefore, called on Ghanaians and Asanteman in particular to unite to protect the country’s peace and unity everywhere they go for the development interest of the nation.
Otumfuo pledged: “I will do my part through God who strengthens me. It therefore behooves on you to unite to play your part as well. I would like to use this opportunity to thank each one of you here who came to support me in this thanksgiving service. Your presence here demonstrates your love and commitment to me’’ he appreciated the entourage.
He further pledged “I’m reiterating the Asante oath that I took 25 years now that, I continue to be honest, truthful and just to you all at all times. I thank you all’’ he reaffirmed his pledge.
The service was graced by Ga Matse King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, Asante Mamponhene, Asante Juaben Manhene Dasebere Otuo Serebour who doubles as Council of state Chairman, leader and founder of Movement for Change Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, Ashanti regional minister Simon Osei Mensah, Sam John, former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings among several other dignities.
Source: Kasapafmonline.com/Isaac Justice Bediako