Mahama Storms Manhyia For 1st Akwasidae on Sunday

Asanteman is looking forward to receiving President John Dramani Mahama to the Manhyia Palace on Sunday to participate in the first Akwasidae festival of the year.

The President will be the Guest of Honour for the event. It will be Mr Mahama’s first visit to the Manhyia Palace after his swearing in on January 7.

Besides, it will be the first time in eight years that Mr Mahama will be visiting the Manhyia Palace as President.

As such preparations are ongoing to make the occasion a grand one. Otumfuo’s linguist, Baffour Osei Kwame Kantankrakyi made the announcement at the first meeting of the Asanteman Council on Monday, January 13.

The meeting of the council, which is the highest decision making body of Asanteman, was chaired by the Asantehene.

Summons
Already, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene has summoned all the over 70 pamamount chiefs in his kingdom to attend the grand Akwasidae to be held at Dwabrem, which will also have the presence of many other dignitaries.

During the Asanteman Council meeting, Nananom were informed about the President’s attendance and directed to join His Majesty in receiving the guest of honour at the Manhyia Palace. This was followed with an official statement from the Manhyia Palace.

Background
Three days to the December 7 elections, John Mahama, then the presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, was at the Manhyia Palace to seek the blessings of Otumfuo for the elections.

In his address on the day, Mr Mahama noted the strategic role of Kumasi and Ashanti Region in general, promising to bring the needed development to the region.

He told Otumfuo, “I remember you once advised me to tell the people what I have done and what I intend to do so the other day when I was here I mentioned the things we have done in this region. We finished with some projects and others were not finished but the NPP government did not complete them. When I come back, I will finish all those projects.”