OTUMFUO SURE OF EC'S CREDENTIALS (Page 15)

Story: George Ernest Asare, Kumasi

THE Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has said he is very optimistic that the Electoral Commission (EC) would be equal to the task of conducting free and fair elections this year, to reinforce its credibility in both Ghana and the rest of Africa .
Recalling the successive credible and peaceful elections conducted by the EC since 1992 when Ghana was weaned off military regimes, Otumfuo Osei Tutu pointed out that “Ghanaians and Africa in general are expecting the EC to conduct credible elections in December this year”.
These comments were contained in a statement issued and signed by his Media Relations Manager at the Manhyia Palace, Mr G.B. Osei-Antwi, in Kumasi after the British High Commissioner designate, Mr Nicholas Wescott, had paid a courtesy call on Otumfuo Osei Tutu at the palace.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu pointed out that it was very important for the government to provide the needed level playing field that would ensure that transparent and incident free elections were conducted in the country to enable Ghanaians to enjoy sustainable peace and tranquillity.
He said as a traditional ruler, he was interested in the welfare of his people, and would, therefore, always preach peace and unity to his people.
He said to enable his people to live in sustainable peace and unity, he had developed interest in settling chieftaincy disputes out of court, and had given the assurance that that would be sustained to accelerate peaceful co-existence among his people.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu commended the British government for its tremendous budgetary support for the government of Ghana over the years, explaining that such financial support had “enabled the government to strengthen the economy”.
He said financial support by the British government had also “encouraged Ghana to pursue her democracy by improving her human rights record as well as allowing people to express themselves freely”.
In his remarks, Mr Nicholas Wescott, on the other hand, commended Ghanaians working in Britain for their sense of discipline and hard work, saying their contributions to the growth of the British economy was enormous.
He commended Otumfuo Osei Tutu for his leadership qualities and also extended a message from Queen Elizabeth II to Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
Mr Wescott assured Otumfuo of hard work and that he would also use his influence to strengthen the relationship between Ghana and Britain for their benefit.