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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.
The Ashanti South Regional Police Intelligence Directorate has arrested two suspects in connection with a robbery attack on an Indian national in Obuasi and a separately planned robbery operation targeting a distribution company in the same area.
On April 16, 2026, Police received credible intelligence that a group of armed men were planning an attack in Obuasi. A police team moved swiftly into the area and arrested suspect Iddrisu Fuseini, also known as “Iddi”, at his hideout in Bedieso, Obuasi.
During interrogation, he confessed to being part of a six-member gang that attacked an Indian national at his residence at New Baakoyeden, Obuasi, on April 12 2026, robbing him of GH₵150,000.00.
He disclosed that the attack was orchestrated following a tip-off from suspect Ibrahim, an employee of the victim, who informed the gang that the victim kept large sums of money.
Further investigations led to the arrest of a second suspect, Shaibu Mohammed, also known as “SM” or “Cicinati”, on 20th April 2026 at his hideout in Gausu, Obuasi. During interrogation, he admitted to participating in the planning of the robbery and confirmed that the gang had further planned to rob a distribution company near Mawuli Hotel in Obuasi.
Investigations have further revealed that both suspects are currently standing trial at the Obuasi Circuit Court in connection with a separate robbery of GH₵600,000.00.
A manhunt is ongoing to arrest the remaining accomplices, identified as Khalifa, Edward, Prof, Waddle, Ebbe, and Ibrahim, and to recover a pump action gun and a locally manufactured pistol believed to be in their possession.
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Christian Tetteh Yohuno, together with members of the Police Management Board (POMAB), on April 17, 2026, decorated nineteen (19) senior officers who have been promoted to their next ranks based on the recommendations of the Police Council and approval of the President, John Dramani Mahama.
The ceremony, held at the National Police Headquarters in Accra, forms part of efforts to recognise merit, dedication, and long-standing service within the Ghana Police Service, while strengthening leadership across key operational and administrative levels.
The officers promoted from Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) to Commissioner of Police (COP) are Dr. Luke Asue-In-Yeng Zakpaa, Mr. Frederick Agyei, Mr. Duuti Tuaruka, Mr. Arthur Osei-Akoto, Mr. Darko Offei Lomotey, Mr. Eric Ken Winful, Mr. Barnabas Nambont Nasumong, and Mr. Desmond Owusu Boampong.
The IGP and members of POMAB congratulated the officers and urged them to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and integrity in the discharge of their duties.
