Otumfuo Osei Tutu II
Deputy Chief Executive Officer (Marketing and Special Duties) of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Gilbert Abeiku Aggrey Santana, has eulogised the Asante Kingdom, describing it as one of the most revered in Africa.
Speaking as a guest judge for last Sunday’s Ghana’s Most Beautiful (GMB) episode, the renowned broadcaster and cultural advocate said the Asante Kingdom stands tall among Africa’s powerful kingdoms for its preservation of cultural heritage.
“There is no traditional paramountcy that has preserved its heritage like Asanteman. When we say this, this is not tribal bigotry. It is a fact. You can go and check it on Google or anywhere,” he said.
“Ashanti Region and Asante Kingdom is known and listed among the 11 to 15 most powerful kingdoms in Africa. From the ancient military prowess of the Asante Kingdom to present-day rich culture and heritage, Asante is the citadel of culture, and its culture and tradition has been preserved.”
Abeiku Santana cited the Manhyia Palace Museum as evidence of the Kingdom’s unmatched historical preservation.
“If you go to the Manhyia Museum, you see the effigies of the kings and queens, from the first occupant of the Golden Stool to the 16th occupant. There is no traditional paramountcy that has preserved its heritage from antecedent to date where you can go there and see that this is the first king, the second king, the third king. It is only the Asante Kingdom,” he stressed.
He also highlighted the global influence and reach of Asante culture.
“Asante has a lot, and I like the fact that you said we are the only region that has a flag. You have your flag, and the flag of Asante is like the flag of Jamaica. The Maroons in Jamaica all trace their roots to Asante. The Asante Kingdom is not regional. It transcends to Côte d’Ivoire, parts of Oti Region, Volta Region, Eastern Region – we have Asante Akyem and all that,” he noted.
By Prince Fiifi Yorke