The King of the Asante Kingdom, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II on August 28, 2024, hosted the Awukudae Festival on the soils of Asanteman after the last was observed in the United Kingdom (UK).
It took place at his official residence in Kumasi in the Ashanti Region.
His Majesty was joined by traditional authorities, royals, dignitaries and residents from across the country to mark the auspicious occasion which falls once every six weeks.
The guests included the Methodist Church of Ghana, Kumasi Girls’ Senior High School, the Executives of the National Choir of the Presbyterian Church, the Anglican Church, Osibor Boxing Management, partners of the Migration Fair and others.
Methodist Church
The Methodist Church, Ghana in paying homage to the King sought his permission to host their 51st Conference- which ends on September 1, 2024- in the Ashanti Region and extended an invitation to the Palace which was accepted.
The church also donated GHc100,000 towards the Heal Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital Project and then honoured Otumfuo with a plaque.
Anglican Church
Rt Rev Oscar Amoah, the Bishop of Kumasi, used the occasion to introduce new leaders of the St Anne’s Cathedral and St Cyprians Cathedral to the Asantehene.
He informed the Palace the exiting leaders had retired. He introduced Rev Michael Opoku Twumasi as successor to Rev Joseph Osei at the St Cyprian’s Cathedral and Rev Samuel Kwadwo Nyame as successor to Rev Kankam Gyimfour at the St Anne’s Cathedral.
His Majesty welcomed the new leaders and expressed gratitude to the outgoing ones for their service, dedication and commitment to the church during their tenure.
Rev Amoah also used the occasion to inform the Palace about his planned leave of office.
Migration Fair Partners
A joint delegation made up of leaders of the German Development Corporation {Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)}; German Embassy in Ghana; and the Wealth and Jobs Agency joined the festival commemoration.
The group informed His Majesty about their plan to host their Career and Migration Fair- a youth-centred development programme- in Kumasi.
Among the delegation were Dr Ernest Ofori Sarpong, a board member of the Wealth and Jobs Agency; H.E. Sivine Jansen, the Deputy Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Ghana; Dr Dirk Aßmann, the Country Director for GIZ; Ambassador Ahmed Hassan, the Board Chair of Wealth and Jobs Agency; Kwasi Taylor, the Managing Partner for Wealth and Jobs Agency; and Kwame Afriyie Asafo Adjei, the Project Manager for Wealth and Jobs Agency.
Kumasi Girls’
The Kumasi Girls’ Senior High School was also represented. Led by their Board Chairman, Nana Fobi Kopa III, the school’s new headmistress, Mrs Adellaide Biyaa Powers was introduced to Asantehene.
The delegation also included Gloria Ohene Owusu, the Accountant, Rebecca Tetteh, the Assistant Headmistress in charge of Administration, Mabel Oppong, the Assistant Headmistress in charge of Academics, Gifty Mensah Bonsu, the Assistant Headmistress in charge of Domestic, some teachers and students.
Presby Choir Union
Also joining the festival were the National Executives of Choirs’ Union of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana.
The team intends to host its 66th Conference in Kumasi and sought the permission of the Asantehene while paying homage. They also extended an invitation for the King’s participation.
The Conference will start on August 29 and end on September 1.
Otumfuo conveyed his inability to join the event but designated a representative to attend in his stead.
Among their team were the National President, Lawyer Owusu Ansah-Debrah, the National Secretary, Moses Tetteh, the Immediate Past National President, Mr Akyea Obeng, the Asante Presbytery Choirs Union Chaplain, Pastor Eric Agyapong and the ESR Director, Joseph Adjei Boakye.
Ashanti Warrior
National Featherweight Champion and UBO Africa Featherweight Champion, Stanley Nyantakyi known as Ashanti Warrior informed the King about his scheduled international bout on December 7 against Argentine boxer, Sergio Sosa.
His Majesty laid hands on the young decorated Ghanaian boxer and imparted to him some blessings.
Asanteman Union of Pordenone
Asanteman Union of Pordenone in Italy also joined the occasion and gave GHC20,000 towards the Heal Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital Project.
Source: Manhyia Palace
