[ 2014-12-08 ]

Sit for Akufo-Addo to shake hands with you - Asantehene tells Prez Mahama
PRESIDENT JOHN Dramani Mahama and Nana Akufo-Addo,
the New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential
candidate, yesterday met at the Manhyia Palace,
the official seat of Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu
II, where the last Akwasidae festival for the year
2014 was being marked.

The two top personalities were each accorded a
rousing welcome by the large number of people who
attended the historic traditional event which saw
the Asantehene sitting in state.

Also present at the function was former President
John Agyekum Kufuor, who was equally accorded a
hero’s welcome to the palace. The ceremony
attracted important dignitaries including people
from the Diaspora and all corners of Ghana.

Nana Akufo-Addo was accompanied by top NPP
personalities including the National Chairman,
Paul Afoko; the party’s Ashanti Regional
Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako aka ‘Wontumi;
Dr Addo Kufuor, Kwadwo Mpiani, current and former
NPP MPs, and other party big wigs. He was met with
a rapturous applause as he moved to pay homage to
the Asantehene who was gorgeously dressed.

Then came President Mahama whose entry into the
palace also attracted wild shouts as he moved
through the durbar grounds to exchange
pleasantries with the Asante monarch.

The President was accompanied by the Ashanti
Regional Minister, Samuel Sarpong, and his deputy,
Joseph Yammin, DCOP Kofi Boakye, the Regional
Police Commander and Kojo Bonsu, Kumasi Mayor, as
well as other top National Democratic Congress
(NDC) members in the region.

Drama

President Mahama, after paying homage to the
Asantehene, asked for permission to leave but
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II told him to sit down for a
while for Nana Akufo-Addo to shake hands with him
(Mahama) before he could depart.

The President obliged and waited for Nana
Akufo-Addo to shake hands with him. The handshake
of the two top personalities sparked spontaneous
shouts from the enthusiastic crowd.

Nana Akufo-Addo and President Mahama smiled as
they exchanged pleasantries and their commendable
gesture plunged the charged crowd into a state of
ecstasy.

Akwasidae

The Akwasidae festival, marked on the first Sunday
after every 40 days on the Asante calendar, gives
people from all walks life the rare opportunity to
pay homage to the occupant of the Golden Stool.

During such festive occasions, selected people are
allowed the opportunity to shake hands with the
Asantehene in public and also wish him well.

The traditional event also portrays the rich
culture of the Asantes to the outside world.
Akwasidae festivals are usually characterised by
drumming and dancing as well as firing of
musketry.

Source - Daily Guide

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