The Manhyia Palace, yesterday, announced an elaborate programme of activities to commemorate the 20th Anniversary celebration of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II’s ascension onto the Golden Stool.

They are aimed at deepening the cultural heritage of the Asante Kingdom through socio-economic development, and to showcase the achievement of the Asantehene in areas of education, development projects, and conflict resolutions among others.

Addressing the media at the Manhyia Palace yesterday, Otumfuo’s Akyeamehene (Chief Linguist), Nana Nsuoase Poku Agyeman III, said events to mark 20 years of Otumfuo on the Golden Stool had already started with clean up exercises at all the traditional areas in the Asante Kingdom, from March 9, 2019.

Nana Nsuoase Poku announced a number of traditional rituals and performances spanning the entire duration of the anniversary, some of which are open to the general public, while others are strictly private.

He announced that the ban on funerals in the Asante Kingdom, including other areas that owed allegiance to Otumfuo, comes into effect from April 8 to Monday, April 29, 2019.

The Chief Linguist also mentioned the Asanteman Queenmothers’ Day, community health screening and the paying of homage (Esomkesse), where some chiefs would present the customary gifts to the Asantehene.

Nana Nsuoase Poku said the climax of events would include the unveiling of Otumfuo’s statue at Kejetia, the Asantehene breaking the ground for the Second Phase of Kumasi Central Market Redevelopment Project, and a Thanksgiving Service at the St. Cyprian Anglican Cathedral on Otumfuo’s 69th Birthday on May 6.

Also present at the press briefing were Nana Osei Kwaku III, Otumfuo’s Sanaahene, Baffour Kwame Kusi II, Otumfuo’s Ankobeahene, Baffour Osei Kwame Kaatankrakyi, Otumfuo’s Kyeame, Nana Adu Ansere Sarpong, Otumfuo’s Abenasehene, and Mr. Ernest Saahene, Otumfuo’s Chief of Staff.