Otumfuo accepts invitation to visit Columbia
The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has accepted an invitation from the Columbia government to visit the South American nation.
The Vice-President of Columbia, Francia Elena Márquez Mina extended the invitation when she paid a courtesy call on the Asantehene at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi on Thursday, September 7, 2024.
I’m Asante
Thanking Otumfuo for the reception accorded her and her delegation, the Vice President said the visit to Kumasi was “home coming” since she recognizes herself as an Asante. “Something that happens in my country is that African descent people in my country say they come from Asante and that’s why we recognize how strong you are,” she told the Asantehene.
She added: “In the past we were told of the Asante Empire and we have come to know that indeed the empire was a reality.And we want to reconnect that is why I am here, that is why I come here with all my heart to represent all the African descent in the Americas.” “My ancestors, 400 years ago , left this land under very difficult conditions as slaves .Today after many years of fight for freedom, I come back on this land . In freedom, I come here as the first Vice President of Columbia of African descent,” she stated.
Ancestors happy
Vice President Márquez Mina was of the hope that the spirit of her ancestors are happy because one of their daughters is back in Asante. “We are back because we want to reconnect with our family. I am here to represent the President of Columbia who gave me an important task to reconnect.”
She was accompanied by government officials from her country and the Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei Mensah.
Otumfuo
Welcoming the Columbia Vice President, Otumfuo was happy to receive her especially as the first Afro-Columbian Vice Presidentof Columbia, and also as she traces her ancestry to Asante. “It gladdens our heart to see one of our own coming here as the Vice President of Columbia. It is with emotions that I speak. 400 years ago, some of our ancestors were taken away through no fault of theirs , going through the gate of no return, but little did we know that you will come back one day.”
Collaboration
The Asantehene called for more collaboration between Columbia and Ghana in agriculture and other areas of development. “With you, Ghana and Africa have a voice in Columbia,” the King told the visiting Vice President.
Noting the Vice President’s immense interest in environmental issues, the Asantehene was of the conviction that, that would inure to the benefit of Ghana and Africa.
