Sir Sadiq Khan paying homage to King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II
In a ceremony steeped in cultural grandeur and historic significance, the Right Honourable Sir Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London, made a landmark visit to the Ga Mantse Palace in Accra, meeting His Royal Majesty King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II and key members of the Ga Traditional Council.
The visit, the first of its kind by a sitting London Mayor to Ghana and indeed to the African continent on official duty, marks a powerful moment of reconnection, reflection, and renewed hope between two cities intertwined by centuries of shared, though complex, history.
The sun-drenched forecourt of the Ga Mantse Palace came alive in the late afternoon hours with vibrant drumming, chants, and ceremonial dance, welcoming the visiting Mayor and his delegation. Chiefs in regal kente, queen mothers in splendid adornment, and linguists bearing the oral weight of generations sat in anticipation. Sir Sadiq Khan, guided through the historic grounds amidst the echoes of ancestral drums, looked visibly moved.
A royal procession of the Ga Mantse, flanked by members of the Ga Traditional Council and the London delegation, entered the Ceremonial Hall for what would become a stirring and deeply symbolic exchange of messages and intentions.
In his address, Mayor Khan expressed heartfelt gratitude for the warm reception and described his visit to Ghana, and particularly Accra, as transformative. “Your Royal Majesty, I have followed with great admiration your work to promote unity, culture, and opportunities for the youth,” Khan began. “This week I am travelling through Lagos, Accra, Johannesburg and Cape Town to strengthen ties and usher in a new era of partnership. Of course, I had to pay my respects to the Ga Mantse.”
Referencing his emotional visit to the Osu Castle and its infamous “door of no return,” Mayor Khan confronted the legacy of the transatlantic slave trade. “London played a key role in its orchestration and funding. That was an unfathomable injustice,” he admitted, his voice tinged with emotion. “But standing here, I feel hopeful. Despite our difficult past, our cities and nations can write a new chapter; equal, trusted, and respectful partners.”
The Ga Mantse, His Royal Majesty King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, welcomed the Mayor with equal warmth and clarity of purpose. In his powerful speech, the King tied London’s developmental focus areas; economic transformation, climate resilience, education, and health to the strategic aspirations of the Ga State. “This is why your visit today is not only historic but deeply aligned with our own vision,” King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II noted. “Accra and London can learn from each other. Together, we can co-create solutions.”
The King proposed an exchange programme between the two cities focused on waste management, skills development, and the replication of London’s proven systems in sanitation, youth empowerment, and smart city planning. “London is a city known for innovation, diversity, and tourism. Accra shares that spirit. Our youth are ready,” the King declared.
The solemnity of the moment was preceded by a symbolic libation poured by the Ga State Chief Priest, Nai Wulomo, Nuumo Akwaa Mensah invoking ancestral blessings for the visit. A cultural interlude showcased Ga drumming and singing by the Asafoatsemei, honouring both heritage and hospitality.
A deeply symbolic moment followed as the Mayor was adorned with Nyanyra leaves; a sacred Ga rite of peace and goodwill. Gifts were exchanged, and behind closed doors in the throne room, both delegations held a private session believed to have focused on frameworks for future collaboration.
As the visit drew to a close, the Ga Mantse emphasised that this was no mere ceremonial encounter. “It is our hope,” he said, “that today becomes the first page of a chapter filled with impactful, strategic cooperation—one that benefits the people of Accra and London alike.
“Today’s programme was more than diplomatic ritual; it was a homecoming of history, a conversation between equals, and a bold signal of what the future might hold when past wounds meet honest reflection and shared purpose.”
As the drums fell silent and the ceremonial courtyard returned to calm, one thing was clear: a new bond has been forged between the old city of London and the ancestral seat of Accra, and the story is just beginning.