By: Isaac Amoah
The Chairperson for the 25th anniversary of the enstoolment of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II on the Golden Stool, Nana Otuo Siribour II, who is also Juabenmanhene and Council of State Chairman, has called on all Ghanaians, especially those in Asanteman, to join hands to make the anniversary a successful one.
He, therefore, cautioned politicians to desist from politicising the anniversary. “We know we’re in an election year. Inasmuch as we want everybody to join the anniversary celebration, we’re cautioning people to desist from wearing the paraphernalia of political parties and their candidates during the celebration. We don’t want anyone to take undue advantage to create an unnecessary atmosphere,” he stressed.
The revered Chief also stated emphatically that funeral rites would not be banned throughout the anniversary celebration. He advised Ghanaians, especially the media, to disregard any communication that goes contrary to his statement.
Nana Otuo Siribour II addressing the media
Nana Otuo Siribour II said this on Friday, 2nd February 2024, at the Ashanti Regional House of Chiefs conference hall in Kumasi.
The well-attended press conference was to announce the proposed events for the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the enstoolment of Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
He said on 6th February 2024, there would be “Sagrenti
War” symposium & book launch on “History of Asante” by Otumfuo Sir Osei Agyeman Prempeh II edited by Dr Thomas MacCaskie at the Great Hall of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene
The planning committee chairperson said the symposium would be followed by Kuntunkuni durbar to mark the 150th anniversary of Sir Garnet Wolseley War on 8th February 2024 at Dwabrem, and Nananom are expected to ride in palanquins under consideration.
He said in the month of March 2024, a new Manhyia Auditorium would be commissioned … And that would be followed by a clean-up exercise in Asanteman on Saturday, 30th March 2024.
The events in the month of April 2024 include: Akomfuo Day on Sunday, 21st April 2024, which is expected to be participated by all Asanteman Akomfuo (chief priests); there will be Awukudae-Ahoho Day (a durbar for ethic groups domiciled in Asanteman) on 24th April 2024.
Nana Otuo Siribour II revealed that there would be “Evening Fireworks” at Cultural Centre, Hero’s Park, Manhyia, Tafo, Jubilee Park, Aboabo Post Office and Adum.
According to him, the programme may be followed by a music festival at Hero’s Park and Cultural Centre on 25th April 2024.
Then on 26th April, there will be a non-denominational thanksgiving church service at Dwabrem, and that will be followed by an anniversary dinner at the Manhyia Palace.
On 6th May 2024, which is the birthday of Asantehene, there will be a thanksgiving church service, a birthday dinner at Manhyia Palace as well as choral musical concert at KNUST.
He announced that the Silver Jubilee durbar would be held at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Sunday, 12th May 2024, which is Akwasidae.
According to him, the last event on their proposed activities will come off on Sunday, 24th November 2024 at Manhyia Auditorium.
The activities on the day include: lectures and a symposium to mark the 100 anniversary of the return of Prempeh 1 from Seychelles.
