Asantehene Treats CPA Members To Rich Cultural Display

There was no dull moment inside the Manhyia Palace where the King of the Asante Kingdom, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II held a durbar for the members of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA).

The durbar saw the rich display of the way of life of a typical Asante; in dance, dressing, music, eulogy for the King, governance, reverence and many more.

Present were most of various hierarchies of chief and queen mothers in the Kingdom, linguists, the King’s helpers, etc to make the event colourful.

Presiding over the gathering was His Eminence, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II bejeweled- atypical of any monarch in country, Africa or the world.

The members of the CPA which included three Speakers of Parliaments were made familiar with the Asante’s mode of paying homage to the King- the lowering of their one-shoulder-covered cloth. The order for paying homage was also upheld as they witnessed chiefs leading, followed by royals in the Kingdom and then the guests.

They were also treated to some of the Asante cultural dances like Sanga, Brekete, the seductive Sikyi dance and the royal Kete dance.

They were not just relaxed under the rhythm and entertained by the movements of the body as they were also given vivid education about the evolution of these cultural dances.

Speaking on behalf of Ghana’s Speaker of Parliament, Rt Hon Alban Sumana Kngsford Bagbin who doubles as the President of the CPA, the first Deputy Speaker of Ghana’s Parliament, Hon Joseph Osei-Wusu expressed appreciation to the ruler of the Asante Kingdom for holding the spectacular durbar for them.

He said though the delegation had requested an audience with the Monarch due to his prominence, they had little knowledge about the Kingdom and its culture and therefore the event fed them with all nuts and bolts about it.

“We wish to place on records our profound appreciation for Otumfuo Opemsuo Osei Tutu for holding this durbar to honour members of the commonwealth Parliamentary Association. We are honoured and are grateful for the cultural display of all other nananom. Today, many of them are seeing for the first time our mode of dressing. One of them asked me if this is how a typical Asante dresses and I replied in the affirmative. This is a big opportunity for us to showcase Ghana and the part of Ghana to rest of the world. For us, it is an opportunity for the rest of the world what Ghana is.”

According to the MP for Bekwai, the memory will travel with them back to their respective countries.

The CPA is historically holding their 66th Conference in Accra, Ghana’s capital. The event is bringing together over 500 Parliamentarians, Speakers, Presiding Officers, parliamentary staff and decision makers from across the membership of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA).