Hot!
Asanteman marks Silver Jubilee of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II
Most Reverend Dr. Paul Kwabena Boafo, the Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church, Ghana greets the Asantehene
The 25th anniversary of the ascension of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, to the Golden Stool as the Asantehene, has taken off smoothly with a plethora of events.
It started with the successful commemoration of the 150th Sagrenti war with a durbar of chiefs who witnessed the presentation of regalia to the Asantehene by the University of California, of the first batch of seven objects looted in the third Anglo-Asante War of 1874.
It was dubbed the ‘Kuntunkuni’ durbar, as all and sundry wore black, to mark the commemoration of the 150 years of the Sagrenti War.
The seven returning objects go back to the period before Asantehene Kofi Karkari in the 1840s and include an ornamental chair of wood, brass, leather and iron, 10 large beads worn as bracelet or anklet; strand of seed or bug-shaped beads; gold of an elephant hair, glass and silver; a royal stool ornament; a royal necklace and a royal stool ornament.
At the Dwaberem of Manhyia Palace, the atmosphere was charged with the beating of Fontomfrom and other cultural drums and displays and the arrivals of Paramount Chiefs carried in palanquins.
Again, there has been the commissioning of a multi-purpose auditorium constructed by the King at the Manhyia Palace in March.
A non-denominational thanksgiving service was also held to celebrate the anniversary at Dwabrem where the Otumfuo praised religious bodies stressing that their spiritual guidance has been the source of his successful 25-year reign on the Golden Stool.
A commemorative postage stamp of the Asantehene was also unveiled by Ghana Post at a ceremony attended by the Minister of Communication and Digitalisation, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful.
The Mamponghene, Dasebre Osei Bonsu, thanked Ghana Post for the honour and announced that the Manhyia Palace Museum, under the auspices of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has also been re-opened to the public.
Also on display are seven sections of sheet-gold ornament, one silver spoon, one pair of silver anklets and one section of sheet-gold ornament.
Speaking at the homecoming of the looted artefacts, Otumfuo Osei Tutu indicated that the return of the items was a restoration of the Asante spirit.
“The items that came back are virtually the soul of the people of Asante. Not all of them have returned.
But, what we have here embodies the soul of Asante. Today is a day for Asantes and for the Black African continent. The spirit that we bore and share is back with us,” he said.
The celebration also witnessed a grand event of Asanteman queen mother’s day that highlighted the rich culinary heritage of the Asante Kingdom.
The event, graced by esteemed guests including the Asantehene, the Asantehemaa, Nana Konadu Yiadom III, Chief of Staff of the Office of the President, Frema Osei Opare, among others, witnessed a blend of tradition, culture, and gastronomy.
On April 26, 1999, the Asantehene was enstooled as the 16th occupant of the Golden Stool.
The event would be climaxed tomorrow with a grand durbar of chiefs and people at the Dwabrem of the Manhyia Palace.
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
• Most Reverend Dr. Paul Kwabena Boafo, the Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church, Ghana greets the Asantehene.
Hot!
Health Minister leads delegation Mimi Darko’s appointment as AMA Director General
Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, Minister for Health and Member of Parliament has led a delegation to secure the appointment of Dr Delese Mimi Darko, Chief Executive Officer of the Food and Drugs Authority, as the Director General of the African Medicines Agency (AMA) during the ongoing 2nd Ordinary Session of the Conference of State Parties in Kigali, Rwanda.
This prestigious appointment, achieved through a competitive process, marks a proud and historic moment for Ghana and the entire continent.
It highlights Dr. Darko’s exceptional leadership, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to enhancing public health and regulatory systems across Africa.
The Minister expressed his deep appreciation to President John Dramani Mahama for his strong support and leadership throughout this process.
Mr.Akandoh congratulated Dr. Mimi Darko and Team Ghana for their incredibly successful campaign.
The AMA was established by the African Union on November 5, 2021, with the primary objective of improving access to quality, safe, and effective medical products throughout the continent. Its creation aims to facilitate the regulation and oversight of essential medicines at a continental level while promoting collaboration among African countries and regions.
The Agency’s mission is to provide leadership in creating an enabling regulatory environment for the pharmaceutical sector in Africa, ensuring that the African population has access to essential medical products and technologies.
Hot!
Police arrest five suspects involved in robbery cases in Ashanti Region
The Police Intelligence Directorate (PID) in the Ashanti Region has informed the public about a recent breakthrough in the fight against armed robbery in the Denchemuoso District.
Following a series of robbery incidents in the area, on April 22, 2025, PID/Ashanti operatives, acting on credible intelligence, apprehended one Michael Owusu Ansah, alias Baby Last, aged 32.
The suspect had been on the police wanted list since 2016 in connection with a robbery and the murder of Police Officer G/Cpl Frank Essel of SWAT/Ashanti, which occurred at the Open Space Hotel in Denchemuoso on May 19, 2016.
During interrogation, the suspect confessed to engaging in multiple street and residential robberies in Denchemuoso, Atwima-Techiman, Asuoyeboah, and surrounding areas.
He also disclosed that his gang operated with knives, pistols, and pump-action guns.
Further investigations led to the identification and arrest of his accomplices, namely:Emmanuel Owusu, alias Cassidy, Maxwell Gyimah, alias Nana Kwame, Sudais Oxford Ntiamoah, alias The Man Sudais and Rhano Okyere, alias Demon
These individuals were arrested from their hideouts within Atwima-Techiman and Denchemuoso.
However, one suspect, remains at large and efforts are underway to apprehend him and recover the weapons used in the robberies.
All five arrested suspects were arraigned before the Atasomanso Circuit Court on May 13, 2025.
They were remanded into police custody and are scheduled to reappear on June 4, 2025.
