CONGRATULATIONS, OTUMFUO...He chalks 59 years (LEAD STORY, GRAPHIC NSEMPA)

By Collins Gyasi and Ernestina Kyerewaa Oppong, Kumasi

THE Anglican Bishop of the Kumasi Diocese, Rt Rev. Yinkah Sarfo has commended the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II for his exemplary leadership initiatives designed for Asanteman and the country as a whole.
He gave the commendation during a sermon at a special thanksgiving service to mark the 59th birthday of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu.
The service which was held at the Anglican Church in Kumasi, had in attendance a divisional chiefs and their queens, the royal family, former President John Agyekum Kufour and wife, Mrs Theresa Kufour, the Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Kofi Opoku Manu and other well wishers.
He observed that though the Asantehene was the youngest of the siblings from the royal family, he was rightly chosen by the kingmakers and added that since the King was chosen, he had exhibited inspirational leadership throughout the years of his reign.
Bishop Yinka Sarfo described the King as a kind-hearted person who had his ears to the ground and had love and compassion for the poor.
On his political, economic and religious contributions, the Bishop said Otumfuo Osei Tutu II had gone past his boundaries.
He therefore, called on all and sundry to rally behind him with prayers for God to make manifest what he had for Asanteman and Ghana to chalk more success.
He prayed the Lord to grant the Asantehene spiritual wisdom, love and vision.
The bishop wished him happy birthday as he marked another milestone on the great Golden Stool.
In a speech, the Asantehene attributed his success to God’s might, counselling from his elders and his wife lady Julia.
He said throughout the years, they had been his advisors and also supported him in whatever he did.
The Asantehene called for unity of purpose among the chiefs and people in the region and the country as a whole.
For his birthday present, the Anglican Church gave him a holy bible to read always and prayers were said for him and the nation, the church of God, the President and the ministers of state.
After the church service, Otumfuo feted children from orphanages in the Ashanti Region at the palace. The children also had fun as many air filled playing apparatus were made available for their enjoyment.