Asantehene Pays Courtesy Call On Trinidad And Tobago PM
The occupant of the Golden Stool, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has paid a courtesy call on the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr The Honourable Keith Christopher Rowley.
The visit to the official residence of the PM was on Monday, July 31 2023 with some key traditional rulers from his Kingdom.
Receiving the distinguished guests alongside the PM were Mr Amery Brown, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Stuart Young, Minister for Energy, Dr Nyan Gadsby- Dolly, Minister for Education and Mr Randall Mitchell, Minister for Tourism.
His Majesty in his remarks expressed appreciation to the 7th head of government of the island country for the invitation and their hospitality.
“Let me say thank you for the invitation that you extended to me to come visit and meet my people. We have been received very well and made to feel at home.”
Ties
“In 1881, my own grand uncle’s son was also brought here- Kofi Nti- who after the 1874 war {Sir Garnet Wolseley War}, was taken to England to be “wisened”. Supposedly, we were primitive therefore he had to be taken out to be “wisened” even though we lived in our own way in our own environment and were happy with that.
“After that, he was brought to Trinidad. History tells me that Ghana and Trinidad have always had a linkage. Why Trinidad? They could have taken him to a different Island,” he stressed.
His Majesty also reckons it was no coincidence that Trinidad Island was chosen by the British colonial masters for Prince Kofi Nti.
He said Dr Rowley’s visit to Ghana in 2020 woke the West African nation up to their relations with people on the South American continent and influenced his acceptance of the invitation.
“Your visit to Ghana during the Independence Day celebration reminded us that we have some brothers also somewhere.”
Presents
Otumfuo after this presented some gifts to the Prime Minister and his wife whom he recalled visiting him during their visit to Ghana three years ago.
One of the gifts for the PM included a wooden stool with the coat of arms of the Kingdom known as “Denkyemkye” engraved on it.
Presenting it, the Paramount Chief of Juabeng Traditional Area, Nana Otuo Serebuo said, “It is a chair and it is traditionally carved from a durable wood which symbolises authority and power… This is a {testament} of the King’s first visit to the country,” he added.
On his part, the PM urged the King to visit the country frequently.
“I trust that this will not be your last visit but you will come as often as you can and that we would have shortened the distance and lower the barrier in our business, culture, {and} diplomacy that we will grow together.”
