Asante traditional activities marking the 25th Anniversary celebration of Ghanaian Asante tribe King Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the 16th occupant of the Asante Golden Stool will take off effective 6th February 2024 in the Ashanti regional capital, Kumasi.
An 18-member committee appointed to plan the 25th anniversary of the coronation of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II says plans are far advanced for the traditional all important activities to start from next month February 2024.
The 2024 year-long celebration will also feature the 150th anniversary of the 3rd Anglo-Asante war also known as the Sagrenti War, and the Centenary of the return of Asantehene Prempeh 1 from exile in The Seychelles Archipelago.
As part of the activities a symposium and durbar will be held in commemoration of the Sagrenti war at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and technology (KNUST) Great Hall.
The 150 years of the Segenti war, which saw the British army completely destroying the palace of the Asantehene Kofi Karikari is worth celebrating, as it has a lot of significance in the Asante history.
In 1974, Asanteman celebrated the centenary of the war to tell a story about the Asanteman’s achievement and how far the Ashanti Kingdom has come.
Briefing the Asanteman Council Dasebere Otuo Siriboe Paramount Chief of Asante Juaben in said there will be symposiums and lectures on the war and their outcomes.
“The war was fought on 6th February. The plan we have on the table is that we will hold a symposium on the 6th of February, and on the 8th, we will hold a durbar in Mahyia Palace” he explained.
Besides, the Planning committee chairman said a 700-page book on the history of the Asante Kingdom put together by the British in collaboration with traditional rulers of the Kingdom will be launched, adding that the book will be put out on sale to the public.
Otumfuo’s Silver Jubilee Celebration
On Otumfuo’s silver jubilee, which falls in April, the Juabenhene stated that the country and the world at large will be hosted to a grand celebration of the industrious reign of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II the 16th Asantehene and the occupant of the Asantemen Gold stool.
“The celebration will show to the world, the extraordinary leadership of the Asante King with all the progress that have come with his reign, “ he said.
He indicated that the anniversary will be a grand one, since 25 years of his reign has brought peace and stability.
“When Otumfuo ascended the throne, a lot of stools were without chiefs and were beset with litigations, but he has solved many of them and continues to tackle the rest. His Majesty has also contributed to educational development in the country. These achievements will be portrayed in an exhibition.”
Nana Otuo Siriboe said the programme for the anniversary will be loaded since plans are still ongoing.
He said there will not be a ban on funerals in Asanteman during the celebrations.
The Otumfuo’s 25th anniversary planning committees which include some paramount chiefs from the Ashanti, Oti, Ahafo, Bono and Bono East regions, is chaired by the Juabenhene and Chairman of the Council of State, Nana Otuo Siriboe II.
Dasebere Otuo Siriboe Chairman of the planning committee will on Friday 2nd February 2024 address a news conference in Kumasi to give other details about the event and other restriction the will be impose the use of the Kumasi ceremonial streets and other business activities that will be affected.
