Asantehene to Feast with Zongo Community as Part of Anniversary Celebrations
The King of the Asante Kingdom, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, will feast with the Zongo Community in his territory during his year-long 25th enstoolment anniversary next year.
He disclosed when the Asanteman Zongo Nkosuohene, Alhaji Abdul Ali Barry, led a contingent of Zongo youth to the Manhyia Palace during the Awukudae Festival yesterday, December 20, 2023.
At the meeting, Otumfuo reiterated for the umpteenth time that the members of the Zongo community were part of his family, thereby his decision to make them a part of the celebration.
“Everyone here is part of me. They are all my sons and grandsons.”
“I have designated a day to celebrate my anniversary with them. Go and tell all the Zongo communities so that they come in their numbers when the time is due to display your culture beautifully. Let people know you form a part of the Kingdom. Go and lay out your plans for the day, document it, and submit it to the committee.”
Plans
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 its outcomes. The War was on 6th February. We will hold a symposium on the 6th and on the 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 in the spotlight.
“The anniversary will be grand because the 25 years of his reign have seen peace and stability. A lot of stools were without leaders and surrounded by 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.
