The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has said the Otumfuo Commemorative Coin is an honour he shares with the country.
He said for more than two decades since he ascended the Golden Stool, he has not concentrated his peace initiatives in only Asanteman but also ensured that the entire country benefitted from every step he took for peace to thrive.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu said this when officially receiving his gold coin at the Manhyia Palace on Monday, December 20, 2021.
Officials of Access Bank (the official banker), Gold Coast Refinery (minter of the gold coin) and the E ON 3 Group – the business solutions provider that powered the launch – were at the Manhyia Palace to present the gold coin to Otumfuo.
Recognition
Otumfuo Osei Tutu thanked the organisers for recognising his peace initiatives, adding that it is a reminder to all that we have only one country called Ghana – which we need to jealously protect.
He said when he ascended the Golden Stool, he had all chieftaincy cases in Asanteman that were in court to be withdrawn for settlement through the traditional system, which has brought peace.
While maintaining that no country can develop without peace, the Asantehene said democracy also cannot thrive without an atmosphere of peace.
Otumfuo stated that he had all along been a fair arbiter, because once he did that the winner would be magnanimous in victory while the loser would be gracious in defeat.
“I will not bury the truth but will say it as it is, since that is the surest way of calming tensions and ensuring development, “the Asantehene said.
He said if all live together in peace as one people with a common destiny, the path toward progress will be smooth.
“Anything that I have to do to bring peace to the country, I will not turn my back to it,” he stated.
Organisers proud
The Executive Director of E ON 3 Group, Mr. Richard Adjei Mensah Ofori Atta – who led the organisers to present the gold coin to Otumfuo, said they were proud and privileged to have led the initiative to seek authorisation from the Bank of Ghana to mint the gold coin to celebrate Otumfuo.
He said there are plans to initiate steps to present the Gold Coin to all the other kingdoms in Africa to serve as a reminder for them to let peace be their watchword.
The Executive Director said on April 26, 2024 that Otumfuo will be celebrating his Silver Jubilee coronation anniversary, which is about seven months to the next general elections.
According to him, the role Otumfuo Osei Tutu plays in ensuring peace during elections is known to all, and therefore E ON 3 Group hopes to partner the Manhyia Palace in working toward the realisation of peace before, during and after the 2024 general elections.
Again, he appealed for Otumfuo to visit parliament and speak on consensus building, which is a major prerequisite for the smooth-running of government.
