I am an Asante and have been married to a Ga for almost 35 years. I have spent 40 years of my life living in Accra. I have acquired properties, had children and worked here throughout my adult life.
Some weeks ago, the Ga Mantse, Nii Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, was a guest at Manhyia in Kumasi as part of the celebration of the 25 years of the Asantehene, Otumfuor Osei Tutu II, ascension on the Sikadwa Kofi Golden Stool and his 74th birthday.
The Gas are my in-laws so I give them the maximum respect in whatever situation I find myself. The Gas and the Asantes have a great bond and have collaborated since time immemorial; the reason we have “Osu Asante” in Accra and we have “Accra Town” at Oforikrom in Kumasi. The railway transport system of old brought some Ga train drivers to live in Kumasi.
Asante-Ga Relations: Otumfuo’s Visit to The Ga State On Sunday May be History Repeating Itself
Some of the notable names that blazed the trail in the Asante Region and Kumasi to be precise, were the Quarshie Iduns, the Abbeys, the Akwerteh Armahs, the Lawsons, owners of Asanteman laundries at Adum, etc.
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In Agogo Asante Akyem, my hometown, one of the first people to have migrated to Accra in the ’20s for education and trade were the late Justice Kyei who attended Achimota School, the late Nana Kwarko Ampomeah, owner of California Hotel at Adabraka, the late JK Obeng, father-in-law to the famous Ernest Chemist, etc.
The likes of the late DKC, SK Mainoo, Siaw of Tata Brewery, BA Mensah, Krobo Adusei, etc, all benefited from the benevolence of the Ga people. Therefore, it was instructive and fulfilling for Otumfuor Osei Tutu II to reciprocate the gesture shown by King Nii Tackie Teiko Tsuru II during the latter’s visit to Kumasi, to also visit his palace in Accra at the North Kaneshie enclave over the weekend [June 9].
It was a spectacle of cultural display, unity in diversity, respect for tradition and exchange of pleasantries.
Some of the iconic items that permeate our cultural settings in Ghana are the usage of traditional umbrellas, traditional drums made from the skins of animals, cowbells, castanets and other instruments found throughout our chieftaincy institutions. It is unique!
Both leaders acknowledged the strength, the difference in their languages, and the common factor that after all, they were Ghanaians first before their kingdoms. The servants of both thrones comported themselves well to the admiration of all. Ghana won the day.
Such interactions among our various chiefs should be encouraged to bring harmony and cohesion to reduce tribal sentiments which are sometimes exploited by some politicians.
The East Legon Executive Club, a collection of high-profile business executives in Accra, were also there to pay their homage to the two adorable kings as did other notable personalities in society.
What a visit it was over the weekend! The local economy around Accra was boosted by this historic visit. Let this happen more often!
At the end of the ceremony, the Asantehene, Otumfuor Osei Tutu II, sowed a seed of GHS 500,000 for the King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II education fund.
For the records, the Ga Mantse was born, educated in Kumasi, and is married to an Asante woman. This is indeed unity in diversity.
Good beads don’t rattle.
Fred Kyei Mensah
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