Asantehene’s visit is blessing to Trinidad and Tobago – Prime Minister

The Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr Keith Rowley has said the people of the country feel honoured with the presence of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II. He said the people were for the first time having a feel of extraordinary African royalty.

Dr Rowley stated this when the Asantehene called on him at the Diplomatic Centre in the capital, Port of Spain on Monday, July 31, 2023.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II is on a one-week official visit to Trinidad and Tobago where he is the Guest of Honour at the Emancipation Day celebrations of that country. His Majesty also met with the President of the country, Christine Kangaloo.

The King is accompanied by the Juabenhene, Nana Otuo Siriboe II, the Tepahene, Nana Adusei Atwenewa Ampem among other chiefs. Also with the King is the Executive Chairman of E ON 3 Group, Richard Adjei Mensah Ofori Atta.

On August 1, 1985, Trinidad and Tobago became the first independent country to declare a national holiday to commemorate the abolition of slavery. The date has since been celebrated as Emancipated Day.

Royal visit
The Prime Minister described the visit of the Asantehene as one of the best things to happen to Trinidad and Tobago. “African royalty from Ghana visiting us in the Caribbean, to Trinidad and Tobago, is history. Dr Rowley said many Ashantis had blood relatives in the the Caribbeans.

Memories
Recalling his visit to Ghana in 2020, the Prime Minister said “there were moments when I lost my presence and felt that I was in Port of Spain because the people walking on the streets looked so much like the people of Port of Spain.”

He said Ghana and Trinidad and Tobago could collaborate in any areas including the cocoa sector emphasizing that in today’s world such relations are valuable.

Relations
Otumfuo recalled that after the1874 Anglo-Asante war, his grand uncle, Asantehene Kofi Karikari’s son , Kofi Nti was taken to England and later sent to Trinidad.

“Why Trinidad? They could have taken him to any other country. The message to us is that Ghana and Trinidad are the same,” Otumfuo stated.

The Asantehene said the visit of the Prime Minister to Ghana in 2020 during the celebration of Ghana’s independence reminded all that “we have some brothers and sisters somewhere also.” “You came to Kumasi, we hosted you in Kumasi, You felt like you were in your father’s home. That is how the relations between Trinidad and Tobago and me and the Kingdom is.”

“We are here to assure our brothers and sisters in Trinidad and Tobago that we are not only for the Emancipation celebrations but to affirm the brotherliness of the two countries and also to see how best we can collaborate for mutual development.”

Otumfuo Osei Tutu stressed the need for increased trade between Ghana and Trinidad and Tobago in the spirit of South-South cooperation.

Colonialism
The Asantehene said Africa cannot continue to blame colonialism for its problems . “They [colonial masters ] have given us our freedom . We still can do better for ourselves if we should use the independence we have to develop our economies.,” he said.

He suggested a collaboration between the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and universities in Trinidad and Tobago for mutual benefits. Otumfuo presented gifts to the Prime Minister and the President.