Asantehene Presented With Symbolic Key to US City of Savannah

The Occupant of the Golden Stool, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, now has unrestricted access to the United States of America City of Savannah in Georgia.

The King was presented a symbolic key to the city on July 16, 2025, by the City Council led by Mayor Van R. Johnson.

The key was among some gifts the delegation used to honour the King.

Presenting it, the Mayor said, “The key to the city in our tradition is the highest honour we give and although we know His Majesty visited in 2002, we will welcome him back as soon as he is able and his schedule allows.”

Another gift in the form of a vase was used to express their extreme gratitude for the “hospitality and graciousness” of His Majesty.

They also donated an undisclosed amount in support of the Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Foundation.

“Your Majesty when you came to Savannah, Georgia, we remember that you announced your educational fund for the Asante people. On behalf of the Mayor, we want to give you fund for the education fund.

“We admire you for putting education at the top of your tenure. Therefore, we want to present you with this to put in the Fund,” Dr Joseph Silver Sr. who led the delegation said.

The group were at the Manhyia Palace purposely to introduce the members to the Asantehene.

In his remarks, the Mayor said the visit was an opportunity to reconnect to their shared history, heritage and lineage for mutual cooperation, friendship and partnership.

He further reflected on how the visit by Otumfuo to the city in 2002 shaped his ambition to climb to his current position and expressed his eagerness to host the King once more.

Fond Memories
His Majesty while welcoming the group recollected fond memories of his visit 23 years ago.

“I recall in 2002 when I visited. He (Dr Silver) had been here and they invited me there. I still have fond memories of Savannah, Georgia, the reception at that time when I was there. I promised to be back and I haven’t been so maybe this is the time for me to be there. I look forward to coming back to see my people over there.”

His Majesty said the key now offered him access anytime without permission.

The Asantehene painted a real picture of the suffering of African economies to the visiting delegation.

“Four hundred years ago, there was no way my forefathers could have appreciated what happened and even up to this time, African economies are still being dictated to by Western powers. Even in this day of modernity, we still have not been able to wriggle ourselves from the pangs of colonialism.

“To be honest with you, our economies are geared towards the West. We export raw materials and import finished goods at high prices. We have all the resources but unfortunately we don’t have the extractive knowledge and therefore we export all the resources. Value is added there and we are just paid a pittance of it’s worth.”

His Majesty reiterated his call to Africans in the diaspora for investment of their resources including their knowledge and expertise in the continent.

“The circumstances we find ourselves is the same as 400 years ago but I thank God I have my people trained with much knowledge there from whom we can benefit here. That is why we encourage you that this is your home. Dr Silver has shown the lead and I’m here to welcome you anytime. You are in America but Ghana, Ashanti and Kumasi is where you belong.”

Source: https://opemsuo.com/author/hajara-fuseini/