Ga Mantse marks 53rd birthday with Christian, Muslim prayers
The Ga Mantse, King Nii Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, and the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, have called on Ghanaians and other stakeholders to ensure that the December 7 election is peaceful.
They explained that a peaceful election, apart from consolidating the nation’s democracy, would ultimately accelerate the development of the country.
The two leaders made the call at the National Mosque at Kanda (Kawukudi) in Accra after which special (Jummah) Muslim prayers were offered for the Ga Mantse to mark his 53rd birthday yesterday (Friday, August 2, 2024).
The Ga Mantse was born on August 2, 1971, and ascended the throne in 2017.
The Muslim prayers were led by Sheikh Ibrahim Abdallah Niass on behalf of the National Chief Imam.
Historic visit
Sheikh Sharubutu recalled that the hosting of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, by the Ga Mantse in June this year was historic, exemplary and would ultimately help promote peace in a culturally diverse nation like Ghana, particularly in the run-up to the December polls.
He prayed to Allah to continue to strengthen the Ga Mantse to continue with his good works to take the Ga State to another level in its developmental agenda.
The National Chief Imam congratulated the Ga Mantse on his 53rd birthday celebration and prayed for Allah’s guidance and strengthening of his reign of the Ga State.
The Ga Mantse, for his part, appealed to the National Chief Imam to pray for peaceful elections and promised to also help sustain the peace in the Ga State.
Mass service
At the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Accra where a mass service was held to commemorate the Ga Mantse’s birthday, the Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Accra, Rt Rev Dr Sylvanus Mensah Torto, said the gift of life must be celebrated and commended the Ga Mantse for acknowledging that it was God who gave life.
“Life is a precious gift from God and you must be grateful to Him always for that gift” he stressed, as he made references to Genesis 2:15; Jeremiah 29:11 and Psalm 139:13-14.
Rt Rev Dr Torto further appealed to the Ga Mantse to continue his good works to maintain a clean environment by ensuring that the shores of the Korle Lagoon and other water bodies in the city were clean to avoid disease outbreak in the city.
Ceremonies
The ceremonies attracted the king’s well-wishers, loved ones and some government officials. They included, the Minister of the Interior, Henry Quartey, a member of the Council of State, Stanley Nii Adjiri Blankson, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Daniel Nii Kwartei Titus Glover, and the Chief Executive of Accra Metropolitan Assembly(AMA), Elizabeth Sackey.
The others included the Sempe Mantse, Nii Adotey Otintor II, Abola Mantse, Nii Ahele Nunoo III as well as other members of the Ga Traditional Council.
There were representatives from companies and associations such as Jospong Group of Companies, Ghana Commercial Bank(GCB), Accra Market Women Association and the civil Service.
Donation
As part of the activities, the Ga Mantse donated 100 pieces of classroom furniture to the Holy Trinity Cathedral Senior High School.
The Headmistress of the school, Sally Darko Attopee, thanked the Ga Mantse for the gesture and appealed to him to help re-roof one of the school’s building that was ripped off in a recent rainstorm.