Otumfuo Explains 27-Year Wait Before First Visit to Canada

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, has clarified that he was never barred from entering Canada, revealing that protocol requirements delayed his first visit to the country for 27 years.

Speaking during an engagement with the Asante community in Toronto on June 20, 2026, the King said successive attempts by his peers to host him were blocked due to diplomatic protocols.

“I had been reigning for 27 years and had not been able to visit Canada all this time. I was not banned from coming here. Nothing held me back from coming here,” Otumfuo stated.

His Majesty explained that as a traditional ruler, his travel is governed by protocol and cannot be done casually.

“When I became Asantehene, I moved from the youth group, and so they decided to make arrangements for me to come. But whenever they did, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs made it known that they were ineligible to invite me unless the Canadian government was involved. That was why I was not able to come for so long,” he said.

The Asantehene added that the demands of his office meant he could not “just wake up and travel,” which accounted for the delay.

The breakthrough came when Canada’s High Commissioner to Ghana formally extended an invitation.

“When the Canadian High Commissioner to Ghana extended the invite, I accepted,” Otumfuo noted.

Upholding Truthfulness
The monarch noted that he had upheld his vow of truth and fearlessness since his enstoolment 27 years ago, pledging to continue reigning with objectivity and adherence to tradition until the end of his rule.

“It’s been 27 years since Nananom chose me. I promised Asanteman to reign with truth and fearlessness. I have committed to abiding by that promise till the end. I will abide by the truth,” Otumfuo stated.

His Majesty posited that while he would not interfere with rightful nominations to stools under his authority, he would not overlook disputes over legitimacy.

“There may be a dispute over a stool that belongs to your grandfather. I will not take it away from you when you are presented as a royal and a stool nominee. However, if a dispute arises over your legitimacy, we will not let it slide. We will delve into it for the truth,” he said.

The King emphasised his impartiality in handling chieftaincy cases, saying, “I don’t discriminate. When a case is presented to me, I remain objective and just, no matter who is involved.”

Underscoring the matrilineal foundation of Asante stools, the Asantehene cautioned against false claims to royal lineage.

“We have to uphold truthfulness and tradition. Every stool can be traced to a woman. If that family tree can be traced directly to you, then you are part of the family. But if you are able to trace your family somewhere from the middle of the tree, then you are not part of the stool,” he stressed.

Nananom’s Service
The occupant of the Golden Stool further stated that he does not seek to intimidate chiefs or govern by fear.

As such, he said he had urged traditional rulers in Asanteman to serve him with truth and loyalty rather than fear or intimidation.

The King stressed that collective wisdom is key to his reign while acknowledging human fallibility.

“All traditional rulers are behind me with truth and loyalty. We are all human, and we err at some point,” Otumfuo stated, noting that he had thus opened his doors for candid suggestions.

“I have instructed them not to serve me out of fear and intimidation, but to serve me with honesty and keep me informed of everything that is going wrong,” he said. The King highlighted the consultative tradition of the Asante Kingdom and the advisory role of chiefs, noting that no single person holds all wisdom.

“I don’t have all the wisdom; else, I would have been the only one by the Golden Stool. Nananom are there to advise me,” Otumfuo emphasised.

Apolitical Stance
The Asantehene used the occasion to underscore his apolitical stance, stressing that his support is offered to any government Ghanaians elect.

“I am not into politics. I go along with all governments. In 1999, I came to meet President Rawlings. He was succeeded by President Kufuor, then President Mills, President Mahama, President Akufo-Addo and then President Mahama. I have worked with all of them. My mandate is to offer counsel indoors. Those who prefer it take it and those who wish not to do not take it,” he said.

His Majesty said he had dedicated himself to this role for peace, unity and progress in Ghana.

Golden Stool Power
His Majesty took time to reiterate the potency and authority conferred by the divinely ordained Golden Stool over the Asante Kingdom.

“That is how God has ordained Sikadwa. No one can overpower Asanteman. However, I don’t use the power in the Golden Stool to intimidate anyone,” he said.

Otumfuo warned against any attempt by external forces to seize what belongs to Asanteman, vowing to protect all customs and territories inherited from Nananom.

“I won’t allow anyone to take away anything that forms part of the systems put in place by Nananom that I inherited. All territories under Asanteman will remain as such. I won’t allow anyone to take it,” he said.

The Asantehene therefore urged truth and peace.

“Let’s all uphold the truth for peace to reign, and I assure you that I won’t use my position to intimidate. I want everyone to also know that I don’t want anyone to try to take what is ours,” Otumfuo emphasised.

“There are some stools in Bono under contention. I won’t allow it. I will elevate the ones I have to elevate. No one can stop me,” he declared.

Job Creation
His Majesty told the gathering that he is focused on securing foreign investments to create jobs in Ghana.

The King said his international engagements are not ceremonial but focused on economic development.

“My focus is on how to create jobs in Ghana. That is the reason I am travelling. That was why I went to Poland. The focus is on how to attract investment to Africa and Ghana for job creation. The same applies to the Ghana-Canada Chamber of Commerce. That is my vision to contribute to the development of Ghana,” he said.

The Asantehene also stressed that national development must be inclusive, warning that uneven growth hurts the entire country.

“If Kumasi develops and Tamale doesn’t, we will all bear the brunt, and so when I plead, I plead for all of Ghana,” Otumfuo emphasised.

Remember Your Background
Otumfuo reminded them that their stay abroad should be purposeful, not indulgent.

Acknowledging that some members of the diaspora may not plan to return permanently, His Majesty cautioned them not to forget their origins.

“Remember that you are not revellers but travellers. I understand some of you don’t intend to return home, but always remember where you came from. Never forget where you came from,” Otumfuo emphasised.

Meanwhile, His Majesty commended Ghanaians in the diaspora for their good conduct abroad while urging them to remain law-abiding and never lose touch with their roots.

“I have heard favourable testimonies about you. Keep it up. Be law-abiding,” Otumfuo stated.

Story by Hajara Fuseini

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