- King Mswati III arrives in Kumasi on June 24 for a historic 5-day royal visit.
- A grand durbar at Manhyia Palace will honor the Eswatini monarch.
- The visit aims to deepen cultural and diplomatic ties between Ghana and Eswatini.
In a momentous occasion for regional diplomacy and cultural unity, His Majesty King Mswati III, monarch of the Kingdom of Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), set to arrive in Ghana for a five-day royal visit centered in the historic city of Kumasi, the cultural heart of the Ashanti Region.
The visit, which runs from June 24 to June 28, 2025, comes at the special invitation of His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, as part of efforts to strengthen bilateral ties between the Kingdom of Eswatini and the Ashanti Kingdom, as well as the broader Ghanaian state.
King Mswati III was received with full ceremonial honors at the Kumasi Airport, where traditional drumming, cultural displays, and a warm reception from local chiefs and government officials marked his arrival. The royal guest is expected to participate in several high-profile activities, including:
- A Grand Durbar of Chiefs and Traditional Leaders at Manhyia Palace
- Bilateral cultural exchange sessions with Ashanti dignitaries
- Tours of historic and development sites across Kumasi
- Closed-door meetings on trade, education, and traditional governance partnerships
In preparation for the King’s visit, the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly organized a massive city-wide clean-up exercise on June 21, which saw businesses temporarily closed and thousands of residents participating to beautify the city in his honor.
Speaking to the media, representatives from both palaces described the visit as “historic and symbolic,” emphasizing the deep cultural heritage shared between African kingdoms and the need to foster greater cooperation in development and diplomacy.
The visit also underscores Ghana’s growing position as a hub for Pan-African unity, traditional leadership collaboration, and cultural diplomacy.
About King Mswati III:
King Mswati III has ruled Eswatini since 1986 and is one of the last remaining absolute monarchs in the world. His reign has seen both modernization efforts and the preservation of Swazi cultural traditions.
About the Asantehene:
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II is the 16th Asantehene of the Ashanti Kingdom and a revered traditional leader in Ghana and beyond, known for his leadership in peacebuilding, education, and heritage preservation.
This royal visit is expected to further solidify ties between Eswatini and Ghana while inspiring a renewed sense of African unity rooted in tradition, leadership, and mutual respect.
