Asantehene joins residents to clean up Kumasi ahead of silver jubilee celebrations

OtumfuoOsei Tutu II, Asantehene, joined residents to tidy up the city by sweeping the streets, desilting gutters, and clearing weeds, at the weekend.

The clean-up exercise formed part of activities lined-up to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of the Asantehene, since his ascension to the Golden Stool, in 1999.

Traditional leaders in Greater Kumasi Metropolis led the communal exercise in their respective suburbs.

From market centres to homes, the residents, including government officials and local youth organizations, cleared filth that littered the city.

Among government officials were the Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei Mensah and the “Mayor” of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly, Samuel Pyne.

The Asantehene moved through the principal and ceremonial streets of Kumasi, from Tafo to Bantama through to the Kejetia market, Asafo and finally to Alabar market to inspect the exercise while he exchanged pleasantries with the people.

At Kejetia, the Asantehene collected a shovel and  joined in desilting the filth.

Ahead of the grand durbar, series of activities including a religious feast for fetish priests and ethnic groups, a non-denominational thanksgiving service and the 75th celebration of the King’s birthday, are expected to be held.

Ashanti Regional Minister, mentioned that the government was working to leverage opportunities from the anniversary to boost the local economy, while beefing up security for a successful event.

“We’re trying our best to complete the airport by April, so we would have the international dignitaries fly over to Kumasi rather than arriving in Accra and transiting to Kumasi.

“We will also beef up security for tourists,” he said.

Mr Pyne, on his part, said the plan was to use the exercise to drum home  the need to keep the surroundings of Kumasi clean and use same to honour the King.

FROM KINGSLEY E.HOPE,KUMASI