Otumfuo Marks Last Awukudae

His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has observed the last Awukudae of the year.

The festival was marked on Wednesday, December 7, 2022.

The King, among the events to observe the festival, received guests from across the country and the world at the Manhyia Palace.

Among the visitors included delegations from the Anglican Church of Ghana, the Anlo State, St Louis SHS, Touareg, Church of Pentecost, Bethel LLC Charity Foundation, Sethi Group of Companies and Youth in Culture Development.

Also were Sompahene Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, Sompahemaa Irene Kyei Mensah Bonsu, Hon Charity Akua Foriwaa Dwommoh and Miss Universe, Ghana.

Anglican Church
The delegation from the Anglican Church of Ghana was led by the Primate and Metropolitan Archbishop, Most Rev Dr Cyril Kobina Ben-Smith.

Rev Ben-Smith expressed the Church’s honour to have gotten a representative of the King for their recent Synod.

“The whole assembly in Ghana heard the words of encouragement from the King during our Synod. We are here to thank him. God bless you and grant you a long life.”

Anlo State
A delegation from the Anlo State was at the Manhyia Palace to relay the gratitude of Togbe Sri III to Asantehene for attending the 2022 Hogbetsotso festival.

The delegation was made up of paramount chiefs from Anlo as well as the first royal family of the State.

They were led by H.E. Dan Abodakpi, Ghana’s former Ambassador to Malaysia.

St Louis SHS
Among the guests at the Manhyia Palace were the Management members of St Louis Senior High School (SHS).

The delegation expressed their gratitude to the King for sending his representative during the school’s 70th anniversary celebration on 26 November.

Touareg
The Touareg Culture Ambassador, Mr Agchekou Aglian presented some customised crafts to the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.

Together with the Chief of Kel Temet, Malik Oussouman and other Touareg leaders, Mr Aglian joined the Asantehene during the eighth Awukudae.

The customised crafts included a podium adorned with some adinkra symbols and the emblem of the Asante Kingdom- the porcupine.

One of the crafts has the image of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II embossed boldly on it. The image is surrounded by symbols that relate to the Kingdom.

Presenting the crafts, Mr Aglian who is also the Chief Executive Officer of Nomade Crafts said it took his team about six months to complete them.

“I don’t know how I was able to craft these. I’ve done similar crafts for Saudi Arabia and Dubai leaders but these ones are special. I believe it was inspired by the greatness of the Asante Kingdom. It took us about six months to finish the craft. I’ve read about the Asante Kingdom and come to realise that it was raised in truth”, he explained through his translator.

Church of Pentecost
A delegation from the Asokwa District of the Church of Pentecost also joined the festival.

The new Asokwa area head for the Church, Apostle Peter Kofi Dzemekey was introduced to the King.

He succeeds Prophet James Osei Amaniampong who has retired.

Bethel LLC Charity

A delegation from Bethel LLC Charity sought the blessings of His majesty to carry on with their mandate.

The Charity foundation that has existed for close to 3 years has benefitted widows, the vulnerable and the needy in the country according to the delegation.

“The charity foundation is now inching toward its third anniversary. We have 30 widows we donate GHC500 to each month. We visit hospitals and schools and fend for those in need. We give capital to some people to begin their businesses.”

Sethi Group of Companies
The Chairman of the Sethi Group of Companies, his staff and some relatives formed a delegation to join the last Awukudae.

They were led by Lawyer Godwin Adjei Gyamfi.

Speaking on his behalf, Lawyer Gyamfi communicated Mr Singh Sethi’s plan to establish a manufacturing company at Asokwa in the Ashanti region.

Youth in Culture Development
The National Executive Committee of Youth in Culture Development informed Otumfuo about the intention behind the organisation’s establishment.

“Some time ago, Otumfuo decried the attitude of the youth toward elders and authorities. Leaders of the various churches, the regional Chief Imam and others were consulted about how to preserve our culture in terms of communication, dressing, food, etc. We will visit schools, churches, mosques and other places to set our young ones in order….We need the help of Manhyia to move forward with this.”

The executive members include traditional and religious leaders in the country.

Sompahene and Sompahemaa Kyei Mensah Bonsu
Majority Leader Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu and his wife, Irene Kyei Mensah Bonsu were also among the guests.

The two who have been enstooled Sompahene and Sompahemaa of Suame marked their 5th anniversary since enstoolment.

They were at the Palace to thank Otumfuo for accepting their enstoolment.

Hon Charity Akua Foriwaa Dwommoh
On her part, the former District Chief Executive of Tain in the Bono region, Hon Charity Akua Foriwaa Dwommoh informed His Majesty about her quest to contest in the primaries of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

She intends to contest as an MP for Tain.

She appreciated the unflinching support she received from Otumfuo during her tenure as the DCE.

Miss Universe, Ghana
Miss Engracia Afua Agyemang Mofuman, the Miss Universe Ghana was also at the Manhyia Palace.

“She represented the Ashanti region during this year’s Miss Universe Ghana pageant and she emerged the overall winner in the end. In January she will travel to the USA to represent Ghana.

“We are here to receive the blessings of Otumfuo before she leaves”, her spokesperson said.

Source: opemsuo.com/Hajara Fuseini