Overlord of the Ashanti Kingdom Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has advised aspiring presidential hopefuls of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the party followers as a whole to rally behind whoever emerges eventual winner of the upcoming presidential primary.
According to him, it is God who crowns kings and no matter how hard anyone tries, it is the decision of God.
Otumfuo Asantehene offered the advice when one of the leading contenders for the NPP flagbearership and former Minister for Trade and Industry, Mr. John Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, paid him a courtesy call at the Manhyia Palace on Monday, January 30, 2023.
Mr. Kyerematen announced his presence in the region and that he had come to the palace to seek the blessing of the Otumfuo ahead of the party’s flagbearership contest.
The Asantehene in response assured the former Trade Minister of his blessing and prayers and advised him to run a decent campaign devoid of personal attacks.
He said, “What can I say? Just as I blessed you in the past, I will give you my blessing so you can go into the contest. I will entreat you all, as a party, to rally behind whoever emerges the winner.”
“For me, I can only support you with prayers and my blessing. Just as you have come here your contenders will also troop here for my blessings.”
“But it is God who crowns a king and no matter how hard one tries; it is the decision of God so let us leave everything in the hands of the Almighty God,” he advised.
He urged the NPP to elect a competent person and stressed that the interest of the nation should be placed at the center of the party’s activities.
“I know you were brought up well and I know you have never insulted anyone before and neither do I expect you to do it now. For me, I have God and the Golden Stool and so I will support you with the prayers of God and the Golden Stool.”
“Go out and sell what you can do if you are elected. What your party should also know is that whomever you elect is a candidate for the presidency and must therefore be a person with the country at heart.”
“You should always put the interest of the country first. I give you my blessing and I entreat you not to hesitate to come to me for any advice,” he added.
Mr. Kyerematen resigned from his position as Minister for Trade and Industry to focus on his campaign.
He is, however, facing stiff competition from several stalwarts of the party who have also announced their bid for the flagbearership.
His contenders include Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, Kwabena Agyapong, Joe Ghartey, Dr Afriyie Akoto and Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia who is yet to officially announce his bid.