JOURNALISTS IN Kumasi Wednesday evening had the privilege of dining and interacting with the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, in the plush Manhyia Palace Gardens.
The mega press soiree was organized by the palace to express its gratitude to media practitioners in the city for their invaluable contributions, especially reporting on issues at the Manhyia Palace.
For the first time, the strict protocol at the palace was relaxed a bit which therefore enabled the elated-looking journalists to shake hands, interact and even take pictures with Otumfuo.
The event began at about 7pm with the over 100 journalists being served with assortment of drinks, meat and food. Melodious tunes were being played in the background.
The highlight of the historic event was when the Asantehene, surrounded by some palace guards and sub-chiefs, including the Manwerehene, Baffuor Osei Hyaiman Brentuo VI, arrived in the gardens.
The President of the Ghana Journalists’ Association (GJA) and the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the association, Affail Monney and Listowel Yesu Bukarson respectively, introduced the journalists present to the Asante Monarch who exchanged pleasantries with them.
Addressing the gathering later, Otumfuo charged journalists to endeavour to protect Ghana’s rich culture and traditions, stressing that Ghanaians would lose their identity as a people if they lost their customs and traditions.
He sternly cautioned journalists against rushing to publish stories, which usually turned out to be false, and urged them to always be guided by the ethics of their profession and come out with balanced and accurate reports.
The Asante Monarch was particularly not happy about the manner in which some media practitioners reported on the recent Kumawu chieftaincy dispute – a development which to him, created avoidable tension at Kumawu.
Otumfuo stated categorically that the Manhyia Palace frowns on partisan politics, indicating that as the Asante King his doors were open to every politician, irrespective of their political affiliations.
On a lighter note, the Asantehene said, “I dance with all of them here,” (referring to politicians).
He described the Manhyia Palace as the home of journalists in the country, pointing out that arrangements had been made to make journalists that report from the place work in a congenial atmosphere.
Mr. Affail Monney, the GJA President, referred to the Asantehene as the fountain of wisdom, recounting the significant roles that Otumfuo had played in the forward march of the country.
He thanked the Asantehene for personally gracing the 2014 GJA Awards in Accra, adding that Otumfuo’s decision to also host journalists in his palace was a clear sign that the king values media work.
He urged the Asantehene to sponsor one segment of the GJA awards to help cement the bond of fruitful relationship that exists between the Manhyia Palace and journalists in the country.
Listowel Yesu Bukarson on his part, showered praises on the Asantehene for always being available for media practitioners when the need arises.
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