Let’s Rise Like Phoenix from the Ashes of our History- Otumfuo to Africans
Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has challenged Africa and the black race who bear the burden and bruises of colonization and slavery to rise to a new dawn and destiny and exploit their dispersal across the globe to their advantage.
The insightful Ghanaian leader sees profound and invaluable feasible opportunities in the disadvantage of history’s portion to the race.
“{The Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Keith Rowley} is here as a symbol of the New Africa, an Africa beyond one continent. For years we’ve been weighed down by the traumas of our history. Today we have the opportunity to build a tri-continental community of Africans committed to rise like a phoenix from the ashes of history from Suriname to Barbados, from Brazil to Jamaica, from Cuba to the Dominican Republic.
“Indeed from the United States of America to every part of Europe where the seeds of African heritage have survived, let the challenge go for all of us to strive to overcome the mental enslavement that has kept us from achieving our potential.”
Calling for reconciliation, he alluded to the consequences holding onto the grudge against the former colonial master could have on the country.
“We have demonstrated that it is possible to offload the burdens of history and find power in the belly of reconciliation. You see this also in South Africa, contrasting this upon humanity in the Middle East because of the unwillingness to unburden ourselves of the past. So as we commence another journey of destiny, we reaffirm our commitment to peace and the pursuit of development.”
His Majesty was speaking at the climax of his Silver Jubilee on May 12, 2024, which also marked the fourth Akwasidae festival of the year at the Manhyia Palace.
The occasion drew into the Dwabrem grounds dignitaries from all parts of the country and beyond to join Asanteman in marking the auspicious day.
They included the country’s President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the Prime Minister for Trinidad and Tobago, Dr Hon Keith Rowley, his wife, Mrs Sharon Rowley, the Vice President of Ghana, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the Second Lady, H.E Samira Bawumia, the Awomefia of Anlo State, Togbe Siri II and Ga Mantse Nii Tackie Teiko Tsuru.
