The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has called for concerted support and assistance to the chieftaincy institution to promote peace and development.
Drawing on his role in the resolution of some of Ghana’s most enduring long-time conflicts, including the Bawku and the Dagbon conflicts, he insisted that traditional authority has become the only accessible and cost-effective avenue for justice and reconciliation.
The Asantehene made the remarks during an executive gala held at the Manhyia Palace on Friday, April 24, where he was honoured as a “Pillar of Peace” on the occasion of his 27th enstoolment anniversary.
The event, organised by the Diaspora Affairs Office of the Office of the President in collaboration with partners under the “World-Meets-in-Ghana” initiative, carried the theme: “Advancing Peace & Sustainable Economic Development Through Royal Vision.”
He stressed that the structures of chieftaincy continue to serve as a foundation for peace and social cohesion, urging the nation to prioritise the nurturing and support of traditional leadership as a catalyst for development.
“Our role has had a massive impact on the operations of business, providing perhaps the only access to the free resolution of litigation. Indeed, when I look back on the number of cases we have resolved and continue to resolve and consider the impact they have made on the cost of doing business as well as the harmony it has established among families, we can only be thankful for the wisdom and ingenuity of our forefathers who created the structures on which chieftaincy is built.
“That is why I continue to impress upon the nation that traditional leadership needs to be nurtured and supported to be able to continue as a bedrock of peace and a catalyst for development,” he said.
The Asantehene further revealed that a new initiative has been launched in collaboration with the Ghana Police Service, led by the Inspector General of Police, to deepen cooperation between traditional authorities and security agencies.
The initiative is expected to enhance grassroots conflict resolution and strengthen mechanisms for maintaining peace in communities.
“This year, thanks to our innovative Inspector General of Police, we have begun a new initiative in community peace building through collaboration between traditional leadership and law enforcement,” he said.
The event brought together dignitaries, diplomats, business leaders, and members of the Ghanaian diaspora, celebrating the Asantehene’s role as a unifying figure whose royal vision continues to inspire efforts toward national cohesion and economic progress.