Tone For Asantehene’s Silver Jubilee And Sagrenti War’s 150th Anniversary Set 

The Asante Kingdom will host a year-long celebration next year as two significant events including the 25th Anniversary of Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and the 150th anniversary of the Sir Garnet Wolseley War known as Sagrenti War, will be observed.

The tone for the anniversary was set on Monday when the Paramount Chief of Juaben Traditional Area, Daasebre Otuo Siriboe II, announced an 18-member committee for the celebrations beginning in February 2024.

He noted that a symposium and durbar will be held in commemoration of the Anniversary.

“It will be 150 years since the Sagrenti War next year. It was in 1974…We will hold an event to recall the War. Ahead of that we will hold symposiums and lectures on the War and their outcomes. The War was on 6th February. We will hold a symposium on the 6th and on 8th, we will hold a durbar.”

He also alluded to a 700-page book on the history of the Kingdom put together by the British in collaboration with traditional rulers of the Kingdom. The book, he said, will be put out on sale to the public.

Silver Jubilee

In April, the country and the world will be ignited to the grand celebration of His Majesty’s 25th anniversary since ascending the Golden Stool in 1999.

Daasebre Otuo Siriboe indicated that the celebration will publicise the leadership of the King as they have gained his nod to put all his achievements on the spotlight.

“The anniversary will be grand because the 25 years of his reign has seen peace and stability. A lot of stools were without leaders and surrounded with litigation, but then he solved many of them and continues to solve the rest. He has contributed to education in the country. The auditorium, museum, Palace and all infrastructures he has built will be unveiled. All his achievements will be unveiled in an exhibition.”

The itinerary for the anniversary will be detailed later since plans are still ongoing, the traditional leader assured.

Daasebre further highlighted that the exciting nature of the year will not call for a ban on funerals.

Though the Committee’s prime focus is on the anniversary of the war and that of the King, plans are far advanced as well for the commemoration of the 40th Anniversary of the return of the Golden Stool also known as Golden Jubilee for Restoration.

He explained that 40 is an auspicious number to the Kingdom and thereby resolution to commemorate it.

“2025 will be 40 years. A purification will be held in September and then a celebration.”

Planning Committee Members

Eighteen persons were unveiled during the last meeting of the Asanteman Traditional Council as the members of the Planning Committee for the anniversaries with Daasebre Otuo Siriboe chairing it.

Among the members are Yamfohene Nana Ansah Adu Baah II, Tuabodomhene Nana Agyei Kooko Beyeeman, Kumawuhene Barima Sarfo Tweneboa Kodua, Japeikromhene Okatakyie Amoa Aturu Nkonkonkyea ll, Bompatahene Nana Effah Apenteng, Kontenasehene Barima Ogyeabour Amankona Adunan, Otumfuo Akwamuhene (Asafohene), Akyeamfuor Asafo Boakye Agyeman Bonsu III and Otumfuo Akyeamehene Nana Nsuase Opoku Agyemang III.

The rest are Mamponhemaa Nana Agyakoma Difie II, Agogohemaa, Nana Afrakomah Serwaah Kusi Oboadum, Woworahene Kontihene Nana Kwaku Ayisi, Otumfuo Hiahen Oheneba Boakye Agyei Woahene, Mr Kofi Badu, Mr Ernest Saahene, Engineer Nana Atta Poku, Mr Charles Sekyere and Dr Kwaku Mensah.

The Committee are charged with the responsibility of spearheading the affairs of the anniversaries.