[ 2014-02-05 ]

Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II weeps
The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, yesterday
wept openly before hundreds of his subjects that
converged on the Kumasi Airport to welcome him
from South Africa, after rumours of his death were
dispelled.

Wild rumours had been spreading like wild fire for
about two weeks to the effect that the Asantehene
had kicked the bucket and the Manhyia Palace was
keeping the sad news under wraps for traditional
reasons.

Otumfuo, dressed in an immaculate suit, and whose
demeanour showed that he was aware of the rumours,
was composed as he looked at the huge crowd that
had not been seen at the Kumasi Airport before,
but suddenly broke down in tears.

He was perhaps touched by the presence of the
large crowd among whom were business tycoons,
politicians, government officials, Asante and
Zongo chiefs that accorded him a rousing welcome
at the airport.

The free flowing tears from Otumfuo’s eyes, like
the free-falling cedi, attracted mixed feelings
among the hitherto merrymaking crowd including
women, as most of them started crying in
solidarity.

Presidential Jet

Otumfuo touched down at the Kumasi Airport in the
presidential jet which flew him and his entourage,
including Nana Atta Poku, son of Nana Akwasi
Agyeman, from South Africa, at exactly 3:29pm.

The crowd including chiefs and queen mothers who
had virtually invaded the tarmac, were seen
jumping in ecstasy on the emergence of the
presidential jet.

Wild Shouts

As was expected, there was a deafening sound from
the crowd when the Asantehene finally emerged from
the plane.

At that moment, the large number of military and
policemen at the airport were overwhelmed, as the
elated crowd outmuscled them, flooding the
tarmac.

Protocol Broken

The usual protocol, which is strictly adhered to
at the airport anytime the Asantehene returns from
international trips, could not be followed this
time around.

The crowd would not allow Otumfuo to shake hands
with the high-powered delegation including
government officials and chiefs who had lined up
on the tarmac.

They overpowered the security detail at the
airport, falling over each other in a bid to touch
the Asantehene who was then still shedding tears.

The situation was so chaotic that people present
even feared that something nasty might happen. It
took the Asantehene close to 30 minutes get to his
waiting car.

Money Fly In Air

In an attempt to perhaps divert the crowd’s
attention from Otumfuo, GH¢50 notes were flown in
the air by some affluent people at the scene.

But if the money was sprayed into the air to free
the Asantehene from the charged crowd, then it
failed woefully to achieve its purpose, as the
crowd rejected the money and still concentrated on
Otumfuo.

The joint military and police team present and the
personal bodyguards of the Asantehene then applied
more force, as they pushed away the crowd to pave
the way for the king to move.

Long Live The King

As the Asantehene majestically moved towards his
car, which was parked on the tarmac, the crowd, in
unison, started chanting ‘Long live King Osei
Tutu II! Long live King Osei Tutu II!!’

This show of ‘mad love’ by the crowd forced
the Asantehene to shed more tears, while he waved
to the people, most of whom were still crying and
chanting his name in a loud tone, as he inched
closer to his majestic Rolls-Royce.

The Asantehene was seen still crying and waving
back to the crowd as some ran after the long
convoy which moved at top speed from the Kumasi
Airport.

At a point, some military men were seen, on foot,
preventing the people from trying to touch the car
of the Asantehene.

Tours K’si

To finally douse the speculation that he was dead,
Otumfuo’s convoy from the airport went through
the principal streets of Kumasi, as the crowd
lined up to catch a glimpse of their King.

The Asantehene’s long convoy moved through the
Airport roundabout, Krofrom, CPC, Ash Town, Adum,
the central business district, with residents
openly displaying their joy.

Who Is Who

Among the people that welcomed the Asantehene were
Deputy Ashanti Regional Minister Samuel Yaw
Adusei, KMA boss Kojo Bonsu and Ashanti Regional
Police Commander DCOP Augustine Gyening.

Prominent traditional leaders including the
occupant of the Silver Stool, Daasebre Osei Bonsu,
the Mamponghene, Juabenhene, Nana Otuo Serebuo and
the Bantamahene, Baffuor Asare Owusu Amankwatia
were also there.

Traditional leaders from the Zongo community
including Alhaji Moro Rabiu, the Zongo Nkosuohene,
Ohene Nana KB, Nana Mensah Bonsu aka ‘Atiki,’
Francis Dodovi and Dr. Agyeman aka ‘Ogyam’,
son of Nana Akwasi Agyeman, were also there.

Big Bash

DAILY GUIDE gathered that a party was organized in
the gardens of the Manhyia Palace yesterday to
officially welcome the Asantehene home from South
Africa.

Reports said special guests that attended the big
event were served with an assortment of food and
drinks as they partied with the King for long
hours.

Source - I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr., Kumasi

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