UNESCO to Preserve Otumfuo’s Legacy Through New Award Scheme
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has recognized the obvious need to preserve and immortalize the legacy of the insightful and foresighted leader of the Asante Kingdom, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, and has set out to do just that.
This conclusion was formed from an observation of the King and his impact and influence in the past 25 years.
The world body seeks to create a lasting global tribute to the King by launching an award scheme for young African artists, set to begin in May 2025.
The initiative will bear the name of Otumfuo, Mr Edmond Moukala N’Gouemo, the UNESCO Head and Representative to Ghana announced in his speech at a Symposium on November 22, 2024, to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the return of Asantehene Prempeh I from exile.
“His Majesty’s various interventions, brought us to work with Manhyia on an award prize for young creative artists…We want to make sure the techniques are transmitted to the younger generation. We want to make sure there is an award to give the young ones.”
“We are hoping that by May 2025 there will be a good news and this will carry your name. It won’t only carry your name but your legacy that we want to ensure is really highlighted.”
Mr N’Gouemo recounted how his Organisation got fascinated by the wisdom and insight of the King during one of his speeches delivered in London in August 2024.
“Africa is still struggling to secure our relics. His Majesty in a very powerful and futuristic approach- I say future approach because at the UN, we have been debating how to restitute- he puts on the table where all civilisations where African relics have been taken come to Kumasi and would celebrate the ingenuity, the creativity and priceless value of those cultural heritage. Because you and I know that the reason they are kept in the museum is because they are priceless. The reason why we want them back is that they are priceless.
“The reason why we need to transmit them to future generations is that they are priceless. Having the brilliant idea to bring the world together to celebrate African ingenuity did not cross anyone’s mind but His Majesty. And I want us to applaud that legacy.”
Award Scheme
The initiative was first brought to public notice by the Occupant of the Golden Stool in May while addressing guests during the reopening of the Manhyia Palace Museum following the the return and fitting of repatriated artefacts from the United Kingdom and America.
The initiative, he said, is part of efforts to provide support to traditional artists in Ghana through the Manhyia Palace Museum in collaboration with the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) College of Arts, the British Museum, the Victoria & Albert Museum, the British Airways and the IAG Cargo.
“In 10 years from 2025, it would institute three prizes a year in traditional finance, and works of major finalists will be purchased for upcoming contemporary art museums so we can help retain some of the creative arts in the country.”
This is in response to the looming danger threatening contemporary African arts.
He stated that in the past, these precious and priceless arts were stolen or forcefully taken from Africans; however, in the current dispensation, young African artisans and artists are selling off their works which would be worth millions to non-Africans in years to come.
This threat, His Majesty indicated, has the propensity to rid African galleries of art works in future.
He foresees Africans would in the future have to travel to the Americas and Europe to catch a glimpse of the exquisite works of their forefathers.
Source: opemsuo.com/Hajara Fuseini
