The family of the late former President, Professor John Evans Fiifi Atta Mills, has requested President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to provide them with the late president’s autopsy report.
They expressed concern over the unknown cause of his death and emphasised the importance of obtaining the report for closure and historical record.
The appeal was made by Nana Enyimfua III, representing the family, during a visit to the president in Accra on Saturday.
They hope to receive the report before President Akufo-Addo’s term concludes.
Late prof.Atta Mills
Addressing President Akufo-Addo, Nana Enyimfua III said “Our biggest problem as a family is that ever since I was enstooled as queenmother, I have not seen any autopsy report in the family. That is the biggest problem I have with the family because if someone asks me what killed him I won’t know if the doctor said he broke his arm or his neck or drunk something.”
“So we plead with you and the government that the family needs the autopsy report so that in future when I am no more queen mother posterity will learn from it because no child from the family knows what killed the late former president not to talk about me the queen mother in the family. So I plead with you on behalf of the family, before you leave office let us get the autopsy report.”
The Ghana Science & Tech Explorer Prize (GSTEP) Challenge has inducted 100 finalist teams from Junior High Schools in the Greater Accra, Eastern and Ashanti regions into the programme.
Finalist teams across the Greater Accra, Eastern and Ashanti regions have participated in judging events where they pitched and presented STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) related projects to a judging panel.
The teams, each consisting of between 4 to 6 team members, were selected in May from Junior High Schools to develop unique solutions to problems in their communities and society at large using STEM as part of the 2023 GSTEP Challenge competition.
The GSTEP Challenge encourages students in Junior High School to develop entrepreneurial and STEM skills through a challenge prize.
Out of 1,200 applications received to participate in the Challenge, 100 teams were selected for the finals slated for 25th January 2024 in Accra.
The office of the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, Mr. Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has taken notice of a news report circulating on both the traditional and social media space, suggesting that I have acted in a manner that is disrespectful to His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
Specifically, the said news report was carried on Monday, 10th January, 2024 edition of the Punch newspaper and also on AkomaFM/Onuaonline, both an NDC sponsored news outlets.
Captioned “Wontumi Disrespected Otumfuo at NPP Vetting” on the front page of the NDC’s Punch newspaper, the said story sought to suggest that, I made those comments during a vetting process of NPP Parliamentary aspirants, last week.
First, I would like to place on record that, this story is false, malicious, misleading and a calculated attempt by some elements to pitch the ruling party and my good self against the Asantehene, the occupant of the Golden stool, for reasons best known to them.
I have never made any statement or gestures, before, during or after the vetting that should warrant such disgraceful and an unfounded reportage, and, I therefore, urge party faithfuls and the good people of Asanteman to respectfully, disregard this and treat it with the contempt it deserves.
What was laughable is the fact that the writers and sponsors of this malicious venture, could not even provide any evidence to buttress their points as they hid behind “it is alleged”, “he is reported to have…”, but could not make a definite statement in their reportage.
This clearly indicates that this was a calculated move targeted at my person by some NDC media outlets and their sponsors, just to tarnish my reputation.
As nature would give it, I come from a home with strong understanding of traditions and customs, respect for traditional authorities, and graciously, I have the privilege to serve my party in a capacity as the regional Chairman in the Asante Kingdom.
With my years of service to the golden stool as the regional chairman, I have served with pride and in dignity to the Asantehene, and, there have never been any moment that my actions and inactions have suggested insubordination to the occupant of the golden stool because I serve the NPP and ultimately the Golden Stool.
I am by this medium giving the PUNCH newspaper, Broadcastergh.com and AkomaFM/Onuaonline, to retract and apologize within 24 hours to my person and Manhyia Palace, through the same medium, or I will initiate a legal action against them.
I am focused, well resolved and well placed to lead the party in the region to break the 8, and make Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the next President of the republic of Ghana, in 2025, therefore, such detractive elements cannot weigh me down.
An award-winning broadcast journalist, Serwaa Amihere, was on Wednesday, 10th January 2024, honoured as an ambassador for Bonwire Kente.
Besides, the Second Lady of the Republic of Ghana, Hajia Samira Bawumia, officially commissioned an ultramodern Bonwire Kente Museum in the Ejisu municipality of the Ashanti Region, as part of the government’s pledge to promote tourism in the country.
Serwaa’s ambassadorial task is to spearhead the promotion of Asante Kente which will help attract foreigners to the country, particularly Bonwire and its environs.
As Kente, over the past decades, has been one of the country’s most prominent and treasured cultural exports, Serwaa, in her ambassadorial role, has been tasked to amplify this global prominence and leverage same to maximize the global attention Ghana enjoys from this beautiful fabric. It is also expected that this ambassadorial appointment would help boost local or domestic tourism.
Serwaa Amihere, who is a proud native of Sewua in the Ashanti Region, expressed gratitude to the Second Lady and all the people who had gathered for the honour and opportunity to serve as an ambassador for Bonwire Kente; she pledged to excel in this new role.
The ceremony which was put together by the Ghana Tourism Authority also launched an annual Kente festival at Bonwire, which would certainly have the Kente Ambassador, Serwaa Amihere, as its face and prime influencer.
In attendance at this important ceremony were the Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei Mensah; Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Arts and Culture, Mark Okraku Mantey; Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Mr. Akwasi Agyemang; Board Members of Ghana Tourism Authority, Paramount Queens of the Asante Kingdom, Sewua Queen, other sub-queens from the region, Afua Asantewaa of Guinness World Record (GWR) sing-thon fame and other high-profile personalities, including government functionaries.
The Chairman of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Ashanti Regional Parliamentary Vetting Committee Henry Nana Boakye has vehemently refuted media reports suggesting that the Regional Chairman, Mr Bernard Antwi Bosiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, acted disrespectfully towards the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II during the party’s parliamentary vetting.
Henry Nana Boakye,aka Nana B
While acknowledging a minor misunderstanding between Chairman Wontumi and the Manhyia South Constituency Organizer, Nana B, as he popularly called asserted that, in his capacity, he did not personally witness any conduct by the Regional Chairman disparaging or lowering the authority of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II during the committee’s work.
Chairman Wontumi and Otumfuo Osei Tutu II
“I can recall a little misunderstanding that ensued between the Regional Chairman and the Manhyia South Constituency Organizer, in which I was committed to resolving. However, in my capacity as the Chairman of the committee, I did not personally witness any such conduct by the Regional Chairman that sought to disparage or lower the authority of our revered and highly respected King during the conduct of our work as a committee,” Nana B clarified in a Facebook post.
This clarification comes amid heightened tension among followers of the two personalities following the widespread media publication.
However, Mr Antwi Boasiako expressed his profound respect by affirming that “I love Otumfuo and I will always praise him before I speak on any network in Ashanti region or anywhere.”
”Anybody who wants to lie, may the gods of this land curse you according to your heart and your belief if you claim I disrespected Otumfuo“, Wontumionline.com quoted Chairman Wontumi as saying.
The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has allegedly cursed the Kokosohene, Nana Kwaku Duah, with ‘Antoa’ deity.
A few days ago, Wontumi caused a similar stir by launching an unprovoked attack on the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
Nana Kwaku Duah
He said he would challenge Otumfuo if he disagreed on an issue with the Asante King. Besides, he is reported to have passed some bad remarks about Otumfuo in the presence of some prominent people, including the Kokosohene.
Chairman Wontumi
Cursing Incident
Credible reports indicate that Wontumi also cursed the Kokosohene to the hearing of the NPP General Secretary, Lawyer Justin Kodua.
Justin Kodua, who was concerned about the report of Wontumi’s attack on Otumfuo, had called the Kokosohene on phone to verify the authenticity of the news.
During the phone conversation, the NPP scribe decided to add Wontumi through a conference call for his comment on the controversial issue.
Justin Kodua was, however, stunned when Wontumi, after hearing the voice of Kokosohene, suddenly became angry and started to rain curses on him.
Wontumi, who was said to be extremely angry and panting for breath, allegedly cursed the Kokosohene with the ‘Antoa’ deity and other river gods.
The Kokosohene, who has confirmed the cursing incident, said Wontumi prayed the river deities to strike him (Kokosohene) dead without provocation.
“I’m extremely surprised at Wontumi’s arrogant and weird behaviour. He just started to rain curses on me when he heard my voice on the phone.
“Justin Kodua had called me on phone to verify the authenticity of Wontumi’s attack on Otumfuo and also asked about steps he should take to plead on behalf of Wontumi at the Manhyia Palace. Surprisingly, Wontumi rather started to curse me with river deities when he heard my voice on the phone.
“He cursed me with about seven river deities, including ‘Antoa’, to strike me dead and use my wife and children as thanksgiving,” Nana Kwaku Duah claimed, adding that “even Justin Kodua was speechless about Wontumi’s action.”
Nana Kwaku Duah said he suspected Wontumi thought he (Kokosohene) reported his (Wontumi’s) attack on Otumfuo to the Manhyia Palace, hence his (Wontumi’s) decision to curse him.
He said since Otumfuo had banned cursing with river deities in Asanteman, he would officially report the case at the Asantehemaa Palace for an appropriate action to be taken against Wontumi.
The President of Council of Dagomba Chiefs of the Bono East Region, Naa Zakari Musah Baki (v) ,has stated that he would continue to do what he can to bring progress and development to his people.
He, said what he needs is the peace of mind and absolute collaboration in order to make his vision attainable.
In an exclusive interview, Naa Baki,said he would forever be grateful to Direct Aid, an NGO for always assenting to his requests.
He explained that, as part of his efforts to make life easier for his people, 15 boreholes had been drilled in both Kintampo north and south districts for them to access clean water.
Moreover, he said, over ten thousand quaras had also been distributed in the zongo communities.
Naa Baki,who is also the Dagomba Chief of Kintampo said, he has acquired 12 acres of land for the establishment of school which construction work would soon be commenced.
Naa Zakari Musah Baki (v)
He reiterated that no nation can develop without education, therefore ,he has granted scholarships to over 20 students who are currently in various level of education in the country.
He ,said in 2023, a large number of mattresses, clothes, educational materials were also distributed to the needy people. Naa Baki, said his focus now is to assist the apprentices to have their own equipment and shops so that they don’t become burden to the state.
He explained that, all his vision would not have been materialised without the full support of Direct Aid. He,was very grateful to them for always opening their doors for him.
Nana Kwaku Duah(Komfo Adu Esaase near Kodie Ntoa Komfo),has appealed to the Akufo-Addo government and the Ministry of Aviation to consider naming the Kumasi International Airport after Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, after its expansion.
According to him, naming and calling the facility “Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Airport” would not be out of place considering the enormous contribution the Asantehene has made towards the socio-economic growth of the country.
He explained that the track record of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II for the past 24 years, since he ascended the Golden Stool, has been overwhelming.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II
Nana Kwaku Duah
Speaking to the media on Thursday, 4th January 2024, he observed that the reign of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II had been characterised by exceptional and exemplary traditional and executive leadership which calls for an honour to encourage him to do more and also inspire others to contribute their quota to nation-building.
He reminded the government that “a country which does not honour its heroes is not worth dying for”. He noted that some organisations and institutions, as well as landmarks, had been named after some prominent personalities who have contributed to the growth of humanity and that it will be proper if the Kumasi Airport is named after the Asante King who has been instrumental in the upgrading of the status of the facility.
Nana Kwaku Duah cited the naming of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) after Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, the first President of Ghana; the Kotoka International Airport, Yaa Asantewaa Girls SHS, Prempeh College, Prempeh Assembly Hall, Len Clay Sports Stadium, Rattray Park in Kumasi, Kwame Nkrumah Circle, Rawlings Park, Tweneboah Kodua SHS, among several others, as the basis of his proposal.
Komfo Adu also highlighted the instrumentality of the Asante King in securing a World Bank facility to provide boreholes to vulnerable communities across the country, describing this feat as historical.
Apart from that, the King of Asante has played a key role in the construction of the Kumasi Central Market. He has also lobbied support for the government’s “Agenda 111” hospital projects during his recent foreign trip, among other interventions.
Nana Kwaku Duah also pointed to the institution of the landmark Otumfuo Education Fund, Otumfuo Charity Foundation, Otumfuo Health Fund as well as Otumfuo Teacher’s Award scheme which he described as healthy achievements worthy of commendation because of their significant impacts on the Ghanaian society.
According to him, in the area of education, about 400,000 brilliant, needy students and the girl-child have benefited from the largess of the Asantehene at the basic education level, secondary and tertiary institutions throughout the country with infrastructural facilities such as modern schools with ICT centres, head teachers and teachers’ bungalows, which are aimed at promoting education in the country.
Touching on Asantehene’s outstanding innovations and excellence chalked up in the educational sector, Nana Kwaku Duah said over 3,000 beneficiaries, including headmasters, headmistresses and teachers who have received a variety of award schemes from the Otumfuo Teachers’ Award Scheme Secretariat.
It is also on record that the King offered a vast land for the Manhyia Government Hospital to expand hospital facilities.
He mentioned that Otumfuo Osei Tutu II recently launched a $10 million ‘Heal Komfo Anokye’ project, a fundraising campaign for the renovation and modernisation of the main blocks of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi.
The peace treaty the Asantehene initiated at KNUST before the 2012 General Election to ensure peaceful coexistence among the political parties in the country was seen to have contributed immensely to the peace Ghana enjoyed and is still enjoying under the Akufo-Addo administration.
Nana Kwaku Duah also mentioned the peace process the King initiated in the Abudu and Andani royal stool gates affairs and said this achievement called for the nation’s highest award to be bestowed on the Asantehene.
He said the vital role the King played in resolving the Dagbon crisis to ensure peace among Adanis and Abudus culminating in the enskinment of the Dagbon Overlord is highly commendable.
It is based on these reasons and others that the Islamic scholar is advocating that the Asantehene deserves a lasting honour for his statemanship role in human development. He, therefore, appealed to President Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo to consider honouring the Asante King by naming the Kumasi Airport after him.
Work on Phase Two of the Kumasi Airport Project began in 2018. It includes the construction of a new terminal building to handle one million passengers per annum, two boarding bridges, a road network, perimeter fence, a substation and parking lot, among others. The cost of the expansion work is estimated at £66,350,000.
Phase Three of the Kumasi Airport Expansion Project involves the extension of the existing runway pavement from 1,981 metres to 2,320 metres, construction of new taxi link and two apron parking stands, an air traffic control building, a fire station, among others. The cost for this phase is estimated at £58,900,000.
The Kumasi Airport is currently served by two domestic carriers, namely Africa World Airlines (AWA) and Passion Air. The project contractor is Messrs Contracta Construction UK Ltd.Source:
tntnewspapergh.com with additional file by Sabstatin Freiku
The President of Council of Mpasaatia Zongo Chiefs in the Atwima Mponua District of Ashanti, chief Abdullai Mohammed,has been awarded as the best Zongo chief in Ashanti for his contributions towards the development of Zongo communities in Ashanti.
At a colorful event, the Chief Executive Officer(CEO) of Ghana Celebrities and Achievers Organizers, Mr. Samuel Mensah, observed that chief Abdullai Mohammed’s contributions towards Zongo communities in Ashanti region is unmatched,especially in the area of education.
He urged other Zongo chiefs to emulate his shinning examples. A citation was however, presented to him.
Chief Abdullai,was grateful for the honor done him. He said the welfare of zongo communities is very Paramount to him and he wishes for the strength and Allah’s protections in order to do more.
He explained that, education plays vital role in every nation’s development and that is why for the past seven years,he has been presenting pens, mathematical sets, exercise books and other educational materials to the zongo communities.
He used the encounter to appeal to the media, chiefs and other stakeholders to preach about peace as Ghanaians are bracing themselves for the general election.
He said, Ghana can witness progress and development only if we sustain the prevailing peace.
Chief Abdullai Mohammed, also charged the political parties to conduct policies centered campaigns devoid of insults and derogatory remarks in order to make this year’s elections a historic one.
He admitted that, the current hardships in the country is unbearable hence everyone must contribute his or her quota irrespective of political, tribal and regional affiliations in order to turn things around.
The Minister of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Hon Stephen Asamoah Boateng on Sunday, together with the General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Lawyer Justin Kodua Frimpong as well as the Ashanti Regional Minister and the Kumasi Mayor paid homage to the Overlord of the Asante Kingdom, Otumfuo Osei-Tutu II at the Manhyia Palace.
The dignitaries showed up early at the Palace to participate in the first Akwasidae of the year, 2024.
The Akwasidae is a famous festival that is celebrated by the Asantehene at the Palace where he sits in state to welcome guests, visitors, chiefs and government officials who show up to offer him prayers, well wishes and felicitations.
Hon Stephen Asamoah Boateng, Chieftaincy and Religious Minister paying homage to Otumfuo at the Manhyia Palace on Sunday.
The first Akwasidae happens the first Sunday of every new year and it is uniquely called “Adae Tokyee”.
However, every other Akwasidae happens every six weeks in the year and it is always celebrated on a Sunday.
Significance:
The Akwasidae or Adae is celebrated by the Asante people, Chiefs and all Asantes in the diaspora.
The festival is primarily used to consecrate the remains of dead Asante Kings.
These remains have been kept at a sacred burial ground in a Mausoleum located at Bantama, a royal suburb of Kumasi.
Details:
Wearing a resplendent gold laced Kente cloth with a glowing pair of traditional sandals to match, Hon Asamoah Boateng led the government delegation flanked by the Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei-Mensah to the Palace grounds.
Waving to the cheering crowd as they made their way to the special dais set up at the Palace, these dignitaries calmly sat for about three hours waiting to welcome the Asantehene to sit in state.
Taking their turns to greet the Overlord around 4pm, the Ashanti Regional Minister introduced the dignitaries one after the other to the Asantehene.
Speaking to the media later, the Chieftaincy Minister said, “it is always an honour to come to the Manhyia Palace to serve and pay homage to Otumfuo at Akwasidae and for some of us as long as we have life we will be here to show support to the King anytime he sits in state and also visit him privately for advice”.Story By Michael Ofosu-Afriyie, Kumasi
