President Kabbah Returns From Ghana
By Fatmatta Kamara

The President, Alhaji Dr. Ahmad Tejan Kabbah, returned home today Wednesday 12 May, 2004 from Ghana, where he witnessed the ASANTEMAN ADAEKESE, the high point of the celebration of the fifth anniversary on the stool of the Asante King (The Asantehene) His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu the second.

His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II	President Kabbah

President Kabbah attended this propitious occasion which took place in Ghana's second city. Kumasi, (Asante land ) on a special invitation of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and President John Kufour.

This very colourful and thrilling occasion was also witnessed by President Laurent Gbago of La Cote D'Ivoire, the Governors of River and Bauchi States of Nigeria, a South Africa King and his group of chests, the Foreign Minister of Burkina Faso, Commonwealth Secretary-general Rt. Hon. Don McKinnon among others and Ghanaians from all over the world.

The Asanteman Adaekese, which is held once in a life time, was organised by the Asantehene as an occasion for him to lead his subjects, admirers and well wishers in special traditional ceremonies in remembrance of his predecessors and thanksgiving to their omniscient Nyankopon for blessings of the past five years.

The theme for the celebration was "Promoting Traditional Leadership for Accelerated Development."

President Kabbah being received by senior government officials at Lungi international Airport	President Kabbah with some cabinet Ministers on arrival at the Presidential Lodge

The main aspect of the Adaekese is the assembly, which provides an opportunity for
traditional rulers in Asanteland to pay homage to the Asantehene and renew their allegiance to the Golden Stool and also for well-wishers to offer their greetings and congratulations to the Asantehene and Asanteheman
The Asantehene also used the opportunity to assure his subjects and Kingdom that their Golden Stool, the symbol of authority and unity, is still safe in his custody and of his ability to continue to provide unity, stability and good governance and to pray for the continued blessings and guidance of Onyankopon and their departed forebears.

The occasion started with the procession of chiefs and sub-chiefs and their cohorts clad in their traditional attire, with each chief wearing gold anklets, bracelets and necklace, the value of which varies according to rank and position. This was followed by the ASANTEHENE'S procession.

A significant aspect of an Adae assembly is an exhibition by an Akan ruler of the wealth of his state as shown in the regalia on parade in his procession. An Akan ruler shows through the exhibition of regalia that he has not only preserved State property handed over to him on his installation but also that he has added to it. Many of the items of regalia are also symbols of power and authority, and understood by the assembled crowds. They include the Samaka , a brass pan borne by the Asantehene's traditional rulers, the sandals with golden studded straps, the horns and animal skins, the drums and swords, all supplementing the bard's recitation of praise poems and songs, re-affirming the legitimacy of the King's dynasty and his right of rule. It was a real display of culture. This precedes the procession of the Asantehene who rides in a palanquin, spectacularly dressed in kente with gold ornaments from head to toe.

The Asantehene does not speak in public but in his address read by one of the palace authorities, Otumfuo Osei Tutu 11, spoke of the importance of chieftaincy, pointing out that chiefs and queen mothers in the past, among other things, fought to resist foreign occupation. He said the modern chief should help government in addressing the socio- economic and political problems in their countries. As a demonstration of this, the Asantehene has set up the Otumfuo Development Fund for Education, which provides opportunity for the less fortunate in society to access quality education.

Ghana's President John Kufuor described this colourful and joyous occasion as the defining character of the Ghanaian people and must therefore be guarded. He said the role chieftaincy continues to provide includes leadership, vision and security for his people and to complement the efforts of the government in the management of the country as a whole.

He said former chiefs fought wars of conquest but the modern chief is fighting hunger, disease and other social ills. He said chiefs must keep themselves attune to government's programmes and must also help in implanting these programmes. He commended the role of Otumfou Osei Tutu 11 for his contribution to the development of education and the improvement of the welfare of his people.

Meanwhile, President Kabbah has extended an invitation to the Asantehene to visit Sierra Leone so that he can address Paramount Chiefs on the role, values and new dimensions of traditional rulers in a modern Nation-State. The Asantehene has graciously accepted the invitation and plans are now underway for the Ashanti King's visit to Sierra Leone.

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