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The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, publicly expressed joy and “deep gratitude” when he addressed thousands at the Manhyia Palace Dwabirem on Sunday, at a grand durbar which climaxed 20 years of his reign.

“We are humbled by the presence here of so many emissaries, and eminent chiefs who have travelled from far and near, across oceans and continents to share with us tidings of amity and fraternity,” the Asantehene said in his opening remarks.

"We are pleased to welcome His Excellency the Vice President of the Republic of Suriname, who has made the long journey from the Pacific at the head of a 15-man delegation to be with us. Our thanks goes to our own head of state, His Excellency, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for the great honour he has accorded us, and for leading our elder statesmen and former heads of states and indeed the whole nation as our special guest of honour."

"Your Excellency, the President of the Republic and noble guests, it was by the grace of God that we ascended the Golden Stool to continue the mantle of our forefathers on April 26, 1999.

The Otumfuo's anniversary speech, was preceded with other speeches from President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and the Vice President of Suriname.

The Asantehene said, "throughout our journey, we have sought His [God] guidance and protection and he had never failed us and so we must see some significance in the fact that our Adae K?se?, commemorating the 20th anniversary of our reign, coincides with one of the holiest days in the Christian calendar, a day of resurrection, a day of hope and renewal for mankind.

"You only have to look at this unique assembly here today to feel the manifestation of the hope, and the renewal that beckons for our beloved nation.

Anlo and Dagbon at Adae K?se?

For the first time in the history of Ghana, Asanteman welcomed a Yaa Naa from the historic Kingdom of Dagbon in the north and to the coastal Kingdom of Anlo.

Expressing his delight, the Asantehene said, "they have come in all splendour, in peace and brotherhood, not just to share in our moment of joy, but to remind us of our common heritage and the new spirit of peace and unity abiding in Ghana.

"I would also want to let nananom know that on the 2nd of June, the next Akwasidae, we shall be hosting the Okyehene here.

"For 17years, our brothers in Dagbon were in despair from a conflict setting brother against brother, and sucking resources that could have been better spent on economic development for the people."

The Asantehene said through painstaking efforts and applying the centuries-old tradition, peace has been restored and "we are able to welcome a new Yaa Naa to a reborn Dagbon."

Togbe Sri III, Awomefia of Anlo at Adae K?se?

"Last year, I invited the Awomefia of Anlo state, Togbe Sri III to come for us to ponder over the curious state into which political differences have plunged relations between our two people, we concluded that, there was absolutely no reason why politics should be allowed to undermine the state of amity that has existed between Asante and Anlo since 1824, on which we formalised when King Otumfuo Kofi Karikari and the King of Anlo entered into a sacred pact in 1865, never to lead war against each other."

"That pact, led to the establishment of the Anloga community, which still thrives in Kumasi. Today, Togbe Sri and his entourage are back with us to re-affirm our cherished friendship and remove any artificially contrived discord with the potential to undermine the stability of our nation."

"We draw attention to the significance of the presence of our brothers at this Adae K?se?, because they provide the clearest signpost to a new spirit that is brewing in our nation, the spirit of a resurrected Ghana, united by common heritage and at peace with itself.

"We feel that our bounding duty therefore, in the presence of our noble gathering to address a fervent appeal to His Excellency the President, our former presidents and elder statesmen and the leadership of political parties, who seek to govern our nation to let this signpost guide us to our true destiny, which is a vibrant Ghana, developing in peace and harmony."

"Let us distil the rancour, the bitterness and the violence out of our political discourse and allow our nation to embrace a new era of peace."

"Therefore on this holiest day, we send a simple but powerful message to our political leaders, let peace rain upon our nation."