Otumfuo Worked and I Took Credit; Akufo-Addo on Dagbon Conflict Resolution

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in an expression of gratitude to the King of the Asante Kingdom, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II for lending unwavering assistance in his governance, has stated that he has taken credit for some of his works.

One of them, he noted, was the Dagbon crisis which had lingered for about seven decades before its resolution with the kind courtesy of the King.

The intervention of Otumfuo paved the way for its amicable resolution and enskinment of Ya-Na Abukari Mahama as the overlord of the Dagbon Kingdom.

At the Manhyia Palace on November 26, 2024, President Akufo-Addo said the remarkable and widely applauded resolution in his tenure by the Asantehene had earned him the undue credit.

“At the time I took office as President, the Dagbon conflict was 15 years. Kufour constituted the committee you {Otumfuo} headed and it was in my tenure it was resolved. And it was all due to you. You did all the worked and I took the credit.”

He announced to Otumfuo his enskinment as Dagbon Malti-Naa Abudani I on November 16, 2019, at the celebration of the Damba Festival in Yendi- the first time the festival was being celebrated in over thirty (30) years- which honour was connected to the resolution of the conflict.

Gratitude
President Akufo-Addo who is counting his last days in Office was at the Palace on November 26, 2024, to convey his heartfelt appreciation to Otumfuo for the enormous support offered him before his election and during his two terms in Office as the head of state and head of government.

He was in the company of the Ashanti Regional Minister, Hon Simon Osei Mensah, the Minister for Roads and Highways, Hon Asenso Boakye, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako and other officials of his party and government.

In his address, he recalled how His Majesty graciously offered his assistance, direction and counsel whenever the tides were against him.

“You have helped me in my governance and I’m grateful. I can’t publicly say everything you did to help me…You counselled me all along… If everything went smoothly for me, it was your doing. I had to come and thank you in person and make you know I am very grateful and pleased. It is your younger brother, an Oyoko, who stands before you to thank you. You know whatever I am saying is from the bottom of my heart.”

Intervention For Peace
The President also called for Otumfuo’s intervention for a peaceful election this year.

“I request that you help in the upcoming election so that it ends in peace. Our democracy has been exemplary in Africa and the whole world is watching. Please continue to do what you do for peace to reign.”

Thanks be to God
His Majesty expressed his delight at the President’s sense of gratefulness, noting that many people are ingrates.

Otumfuo, however, stated that the only one deserving of appreciation was God who provided the President with the strength to overcome all the hurdles that confronted him in his governance.

“You came for blessing ahead of your first term and I did pray for you. In the past eight years, we had a lot of interactions, sometimes at odd hours. In your second term, the COVID created havoc, destructing many things but you decided to contest yet again and God gave you the second term.

“I know your good heart and thoughts but some people disappointed you. You didn’t lose hope at that but carried on. Through the prayers we prayed, God gave you the strength and that is the reason why Ghana is together in peace today. We need to give God the praise for seeing you through the hurdles.”

Ghana Is Paramount
His Majesty further stressed on the need for political actors to be circumspect and desist from any act that could derail the country’s achievements in peace and stability.

He urged politicians to accept whoever will be declared winner after the election on December 7.

“We are just 12 days away from the election day. Ghana is bigger than everyone. It must come first. Vote is cast with the thumb. At the end of the election, we all will support the winner. It’s not about conflict and insults. Convey your policies and desist from insults and intimidation.

“Ghanaians will vote based on policies you propagate. You {President} have promised me to superintend over a smooth transition. I tell all politicians to know Ghana is the priority. The winner becomes the next President.”

Source: opemsuo.com/Hajara Fuseini