ASANTEHENE SPEECH AT THE UNITED NATIONS: POSITIONING GHANA IN THE WORLD SPHERE.


Exactly a year today, September 13, the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II rendered the keynote address at the high-level forum of the 20th Anniversary of UN General Assembly’s adoption on a Culture of Peace. 

It is said to be the only second time a King from Africa has been allowed to deliver a speech within the hallowed precincts of the UN.

As expected, the Asante culture was showcased with class and finesse. A brief introduction was given by the President of the 73rd Session of the UN General Assembly, H.E. Maria F. E. Garces. 

After which traditional praise-singers (Kwadwomfoɔ) ushered the King to the podium with mellifluous tones in the Asante twi language: a historic first.

The Asantehene highlighted the hybrid nature of local governance in Ghana whereby Traditional Rulers are key participants, partners and agents of development. 

He further narrated how he had been able to forge peace among political actors during election times.

 
He pointed out that: “Warfare is no longer the threat we face from states; it is now a danger we face on a daily basis from our citizens and from all quarters.

This new threat comes on the heels of an unprecedented trust deficit in political leadership at the national level. The effect of this trust deficit is to erode the capacity of political leaders to rally their people to coalesce around national interests. 

The consequence for peace and security cannot be overstated,”.

Here is a transcript of the sweet melody rendered by the praise-singers. 

The lead singer rendition is repeated by the back singer. 

Osagyefo gye adwa gu ase, Okura Asante gye wa dwa na kasa yee,
Kotokohene kasa yee, Krobeahene kasa yee,
Merema wo Krobea Yirefi Anwoma ene Kotoko yee,
 
Asante atwa ntire agu oo Twum Akyampon nofon yee,
Asante asiesie bo o suman-tete a yee
Krobea Asante gye wo adwa na kasa yee
 
Osei Tutu merema wo due ne awisi o
Hwan na obeyan sε Kantinkyiren Boakye Dankwa ne Afia Kobi Serwaa Apem sikapo ba ne wo,
Obi nyaa saa bi a anka obɛ yɛ bi
 
Maanu Atie Dufie ba Dammirifa nyane aayee
Kyerewa Nintofie mmo gyee
Osodofo dade eduru Twum oo Akyampon nofonn aayee
 
Osei Tutu merebo wo din ne awisi o
Wo pen so na wodi ‘aneedin’ ne nkabom kyekyere wo Asanteman nyinaa
Obi nyaa saa bi a anka obe ye bi
 
Wo pen so na wodi aniadin ne nkabom kyekyere wo Asanteman nyinaa
Obi nyaa saa bi a anka obe ye bi
Mema wo Dwabendo Adaakwa Yiadom ayee
 
Osei Tutu merebo wo din ne awisi o
Wo pen so na wodi nkabom ne asomdwee ba Asanteman ne Ghana nyinaa
Obi nyaa saa bi a anka obe ye bi
 
Osagyefo gye adwa gu ase Okura Asante gye wa dwa na kasa yee,
Kotokohene kasa yee, Krobeahene kasa yee,

Piawwwww!!!
 
By:  Yaw Afreh (Royal Society of Asante Culture and History)

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