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A non-denominational thanksgiving service in honour of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has been held to celebrate the 25th anniversary of his ascension to the Golden Stool.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu was full of praise for the various religious bodies stressing that their spiritual guidance had been the source of his successful 25-year reign on the Golden Stool.
“You have been with me from day one; your continued spiritual guidance has brought me this far,” he emphasised.
The Asantehene was enstooled as the 16th occupant of the Golden Stool on April 26, 1999 and last Friday was exactly 25 years.
“You are always with me, both physically and spiritually; your divine mercies have always lighted my path,” he told the well-attended gathering at the Manhyia Palace.
According to him, the non-denominational church service was purposely to express his profound gratitude to the Almighty God, who is the giver of life to mankind.
During a sermon, Most Reverend Dr Paul Kwabena Boafo, the Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church, Ghana, told the King that he was not alone on the ‘battlefront’ but that God in his wisdom had planted him to lead the people to prosperity.
“You will never walk alone. The Almighty God has prepared your path and that humans were limited to malign this enviable reign,” he told the Asantehene.
He praised the Asantehene for demonstrating his leadership through his education fund and also in the area of health, such as raising money to refurbish the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), saying it was worthy of emulation.
The Bishop lauded Asantehene for his transformational leadership which has brought the chieftaincy institution to a higher standard and commended him for his interventions in peace-making.
Officiating ministers at the ceremony included Catholic Archbishop Emeritus, Most Rev. Peter Akwasi Sarpong, Catholic Archbishop of Kumasi, Most Rev. Gabriel Justice Anokye and the Archbishop of Ghana in the Province of West Africa, Most Rev. Cyril Kobina Ben-Smith.
The rest were the Anglican Archbishop Emeritus, Most Reverend Daniel Yinkah Sarfo, Past Presiding Bishop, Methodist Church of Ghana, Most Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Asante, Ashanti Regional Chairman, Peace Council, Rev. Dr Seth Frimpong Coleman, and the Chairperson, Ashanti Presbytery, Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Reverend Samuel Ahima-Yeboah.
Other dignitaries present were the former Chief Justice of Ghana, Justice Kwasi Anin-Yeboah, the Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei-Mensah, the Vice-Chancellor of KNUST, Professor Mrs Rita Akosua Dickson, and some heads of the security agencies.
A non-denominational mass choir provided some musical tunes to grace the well-attended service.
Famous gospel artistes, such as Diana Hamilton and Daughters of Glorious Jesus, graced the occasion with song ministrations.
The first Bible reading (Psalm 103:1-9) was read by Daasebre Osei Bonsu II, Mamponghene, and the second Bible reading, taken from Luke:17:11-19, was read by Pastor E. K. Duodu, National Overseer, Deeper Life Bible Church.
Come May, 12, the anniversary would be climaxed with a durbar at the Manhyia Palace.
FROM KINGSLEY E.HOPE, KUMASI
