The King of the Asante Kingdom, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, is set to be honored at the upcoming Africa Union Ambassadors Ball in March 2025, where he will formally receive the AU Kofi Annan Award. This prestigious award recognizes his tireless efforts to promote peace and unity in Ghana and beyond.
Ambassador H.E. Hilda Suka-Mafudze, the African Union Permanent Representative to the United States, officially conveyed the invitation to the Manhyia Palace on December 3, 2024. She was accompanied by Nana Agyeman Prempeh, founder of Millennium Excellence Awards, and Miss Jane Reindorf-Osei, President of Africa Investment Network.
In her speech, Ambassador Suka-Mafudze highlighted the King’s outstanding contributions to peace-building in Africa, saying, “This award is given to our people in recognition of the work that they have done… Your works are in demand all over. People talk about it. You are all over. We want to amplify that work into making Africa a better place.”
The Ambassador emphasized that the King’s name was consistently mentioned during their research on the next personality to honor for leading the quest to empower and strengthen relations across Africa. “When we researched, your name kept popping up. It said this is the man who deserves it. Your Majesty, that’s what we concluded when I sat with my team and I am here to present it to you.”
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II graciously accepted the invitation, but also emphasized that his presence at the event would serve as a challenge to the African continent and its diaspora. He stressed the importance of Africa taking responsibility for its own development through effective intra-continental trade and collaborations. The King also urged Africans in the diaspora to invest in the continent, saying, “Giving me the award is about challenging ourselves… I am accepting it but we have to throw a challenge to everyone. I will come myself.”
