Kumasi, July 17, GNA- The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has stated that recent attempts by some people to vilify him in the media would not prevent him from pursuing his developmental agenda for Asanteman and the country as a whole.
He said whatever project and programmes he had tried to pursue since his ascending to the Golden Stool were for the progress and development of the country and Asanteman and would, therefore, not be perturbed by negative propaganda by some detractors to abandon his objectives.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu stated this at the Asanteman Council meeting in Kumasi on Thursday.
The meeting, which brought together all Paramount Chiefs, who owe allegiance to the Golden Stool, deliberated on the recent negative media publications about the Asantehene and the outcome of the petition sent by the Council to the National Media Commission (NMC) in protest against the alleged attempt by some media houses to vilify the Golden Stool and its occupant in connection with the five million-dollar International Monetary Fund (IMF) grant to Asanteman for development projects.
The meeting also attracted the angry Executives of the various Asanteman interest groups, who read various petitions, which they had presented to the NMC in connection with the publications.
Among them were Asante Youth Association (AYA), Asante Congress, Asante Kotoko Society, Asante United Front, Asante Graduates and Professional Network (AGPN), Concerned Asante Lawyers and the Ashanti Regional branch of the Ghana National Association of Garages (GNAG). Otumfuo Osei Tutu, who was clad in mourning cloth and sat in a pensive mood, stated that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government was not part of Asanteman and warned those behind the publications not to try to drag the Golden Stool into politics.
He made it clear that he was for peace, unity and progress of the nation and would, therefore, use his wisdom to pursue programmes that would benefit the people.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu, however, cautioned the few mischievous individuals in the media that his desire for peace and unity in the country should not be misconstrued to be weakness and try to ridicule him in public.
He said he was not ready for war, but cautioned those involved in such "diabolical publications to be extremely careful not risk trouble for themselves".
Otumfuo Osei Tutu said Asanteman was there before the arrival of even the Colonial Masters and it had continued to grow in strength and unity throughout the years, adding that, Asanteman would continue to survive despite attempts by some people not to recognise its existence and role it played to resist colonialism.
He called on his chiefs, subjects and the people of Asanteman to remain calm while the NMC took steps to investigate the issue and report to him.
The Mamponghene, Daasebre Osei Bonsu II read the petition, which had already been sent to the NMC the meeting.
It sought a declaration from the NMC that the publication in the "Ghana Palaver" was entirely without foundation and "was actuated by malice and a desire to cause affront to the dignity and honour of the occupant of the Golden Stool, the sacred symbol of the honour and dignity of Asanteman".
It also sought a retraction of the malicious falsehood contained in the publication and the rendering of unqualified apology to Otumfuo Osei Tutu and Asanteman for the affront to his person and the diabolical attempt to bring the Golden Stool and Asanteman into disrepute and public ridicule.