By Napoleon Ato Kittoe
He ascended the throne at age 49. A relatively young age among all Asantehenes. Into the 25th year of his reign, that adds up to 74. His Majesty the King of Ashanti (Asantehene), Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, is now firmly a septuagenarian.
The 74th birthday of Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, coinciding with his silver jubilee anniversary year, makes it a double. While friends and well-wishers joined the King and Lady Julia to mark this occasion, they also had at the back of their minds the 25th anniversary of his enthronement. A back-to-back on Ashanti calendar that also turns the attention of the rest of Ghana and even beyond to the Kingdom of his reign.
Among senior citizens who attended the occasion of the 74th Birthday of Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II at the St. Cyprien Anglican Cathedral in Kumasi are, former President John Agyekum Kufuor, former First Kady Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, the leader of the Alliance for Revolutionary Change, Alan Kyerematen, a former Chief of Ghana Mission in New York, also the Paramount Chief of Asante Bompata, Nana Effah Apenteng, the Chairman of Council of State, also the Paramount Chief of Juaben Asante, Daasebre Otuo Siriboe II, the Chief of Staff of Government, Madam Frema Osei Opare, a former Minister of Food and Agriculture and recently a Presidential Aspirant of the New Patriotic Party, Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto and a former President of Anglogold Ashanti Mining Conglomerate, Sir Dr Sam Jonah.
The Ga Mantse, Nii Tetteh Kpobi Tsuru III, was also among the dignitaries, which included a formidable presence of other traditional rulers, politicians, clergymen, women, and well-wishers.
A Senior Chorister of the St. Cyprien Anglican Cathedral in Kumasi, Mr. James Osman Adjei, told the interesting story behind Ashantis and the Anglican Church. He said that when the 13th occupant of the Gold Stool of Asante, Sir Agyemang Prempeh I, was taken into captivity by the British and incarcerated at the Elmina Castle on the coast of Ghana and then to Sierra Leone before the Seychelles, he ended up co-opting into the Anglican Faith. Since then, all other Asantehenes and most Asante chiefs and queens have followed that religion.
The 16th occupant of the Gold Stool, who is the current King, His Majesty, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, is celebrated for many reasons. He is both an enforcer of traditions and contributions made by his predecessors as well as a development agent on his own.
Some liken Asantehene’s reign to a Sputnik device launched from the ground to the moon. An imagery for speed, loftiness, and extraordinary feats. From age 49 to 74, so fast like the snap of fingers. Analysts say the King has done tremendously well, but this is only a launchpad for greater things yet to come.
