AMA: Osu Mantse receives certificates of excellence in dev’t

Nii Okwei Kinka Dowuona VI

The Osu Mantse, Nii Okwei Kinka Dowuona VI, has received a certificate for his dedication in the development of his traditional area at the Elders Forum of the Distinguished Scholars of Africa at Osu.

The forum being organised by the Youth Bridge Foundation, a non-governmental organisation, brings together the elderly and the youth to share their experiences on their failures, successes and exchange ideas for the development of the society.

In a speech read on his behalf by Nana Frimpong Anokye Ababio,
Paramount Chief of Agona Asante Traditional Area, the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II said development was not simply a matter of money and resources but for the people, children and the future generation.

He said in reality development is not purely an economic phenomenon but rather it should be perceived as a multi-dimensional process involving the re-organisation and orientation of the entire economic and social systems.

“It may be perceived as an attack on the Chief evils of the world, malnutrition, illiteracy, unemployment, inequality,” and that one person or community alone cannot develop, “we need many hands and minds together for one single purpose of building a peaceful, healthy, industrious and forward-looking community through creativity.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu said to be strong and successful in building
communities there was the need to be guided by good and lasting values and that our ancestors did not just leave us with language, homes and properties but many invaluable pearls of wisdom.

He said it was the responsibility of leaders, parents and teachers
from all walks of life to seek this wisdom and to be guided by them in
planning and directing our paths to development.

He said sustainable development was the type of living that did not
destroy trees, rivers, ecology and communities in its quest for material possession so that the needs of the future generation were not compromised.

The Asantehene said Ghanaians have enough great values and traditions that can serve as great foundations for sustainable development and took the opportunity to call on the people to take time to learn and to teach the best of our traditions to their children and communities and take steps to institutionalize them.

He said the traditional authorities would work with leaders of every
community to ensure that the best of what the nation have inherited were not only preserved and honoured but used properly and systematically for personal, regional and national developments.

The Paramount Chief of Osu Traditional Area, Nii Okwei Kinka Dowuona VI, advised Ghanaians not to see culture as fetish but an identity and culture which give special moral training to the people and help them to be patriotic citizens.

Nii Okwei Kinka Dowuona appealed to all to unite for the development
of the area and contribute their quota whenever they are called upon.

Mr Seth Oteng, Chief Executive Director of the Youth Bridge Foundation, said every nation is made up the elderly and the youth and that for development to thrive the two must walk together with one purpose.

He said unfortunately the leaders have one lane and the younger ones have another and that the two are not only far apart but it seems the elders speak and think one thing whilst the youth think and act differently.

He said there was the need to create institutions and opportunities
for the elders and the youth to meet regularly to exchange ideas and for the older to share their experiences including their failures and successes in order to mentor the youth.

Mr Oteng said the Foundation is mandated to equip the youth with
appropriate information, platforms and resources that shall enhance their physical, mental and socio-economic well-being and further help develop them into responsible adults.

Other prominent persons who received certificates were Otumfuo Osei
Tutu II, Asantehene, Dr Nana Frimpong Anokye Ababio, Paramount Chief of Agona Asante Traditional Area and Mr John Essel, the Founder of Knutsford University.

GNA