PHOTOS: Children of Asantehene, Kwame Kyeretwie and Afia Kobi at the King's 69th birthday

Scores of people on Monday joined the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, to celebrate his 69th birthday with a Mass at the Saint Cyprian Anglican Cathedral in Kumasi.

It was an all-white occasion as the congregation was clad in various types of white cloth, including kente, and the specially designed cloth to celebrate his 20th anniversary on the throne as Asantehene.

At the ceremony were also the chilren of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Nana Kwame Kyeretwie and Ohemaa Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem.

Nana Kwame Kyeretwie sits next to his father during the mass at the St Cyprian Anglican Church at Fante New Town in Kumasi.

Ohemaa Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem stands next to her mother, Lady Julia Osei Tutu during the mass to mark her father's 69th birthday.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II with his wife Lady Julia and chilren.

Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia congratulating the Asantehene on his birhday.

The Chief Justice, Sophia Akuffo, (extreme left), Chief of Staff, Akosua Frema Osei Opare (extreme right), Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and wife of the Asantehene, Lady Julia Osei Tutu (middle) joins the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu to cut his birthday cake.

Vice President Bawumia in a chat with the Asantehene at the Manhyia Palace.

The Asantehene's birthday offertory to the church.

The Mamponghene, Daasebre Osei Bonsu (left) and the Juabenhene, Nana Otuo Siriboe, who is also the Chairman of the Council of State joined the Asantehene for his birthday mass.

Rt Rev Yinkah Sarfo delivering the sermon at the birthday mass.

Graphic Online's reporter in Kumasi, Kwadwo Baffoe Donkor reported that among the dignitaries who attended the Mass were the Vice-President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia; the Chief Justice, Justice Sophia Akuffo; Chief of Staff, Mrs Akosua Frema Osei Opare, captains of industry, and some members of the diplomatic corps.

The others were the Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen; the Ghana Ambassador to Brazil, Prof. Abena Pokuah Busia; the Ghana Ambassador to the United Nations, Mrs Martha Pobi; the Regional Minister, Mr Simon Osei Mensah; the Mayor of Kumasi, Mr Antwi Osei Assibey; the Chairman of the Council of State,

Nana Otuo Siriboe and Juabenhene, and the Deputy Majority Leader, Ms Adwoa Safo.

The Mass was celebrated by the Anglican Bishop of Kumasi, Most Rev. Prof. Daniel Yinkah Sarfo. He was assisted by a host of priests and pastors from within and outside Kumasi, including the Most Rev. Peter Kwasi Sarpong, Archbishop Emeritus of the Kumasi Archdiocese of the Catholic Church.

Homily

Delivering the homily, the Retired Methodist Bishop of Kumasi, Rt Rev. Nuh-Ben Abubekr, recounted some achievements of the Asantehene, which included the promotion of formal education in the country through the Otumfuo Education Fund and the resolution of most chieftaincy disputes in the Ashanti Region which, he said, had brought about peace and was fostering development.

Rt Rev. Abubekr said Otumfuo’s greatest achievement was the pivotal role he played in the resolution of the Dagbon chieftaincy crisis which saw the enskinment of a new Yaa Naa. “Ghana is grateful to you for that,” he said.

He said the Asantehene’s selflessness and sacrifices had been unparalleled and that had endeared him to all.

Rt Rev. Abubekr added that Otumfuo‘s desire for development and job creation compelled him to ensure that the Anglo Gold Ashanti mine was reopened after two years of shutdown.

He credited the Asantehene with much of the development taking place in the region and cited the Kumasi International Airport expansion project, the Kejetia Redevelopment Project and the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital Mother and Baby Unit as some of the projects that he played very pivotal roles in.

Advice

Rt Rev. Abubekr advised the celebrant to build on his achievements and continue his goal of modernising the chieftaincy institution and bringing development to his people.

Read also: How the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II marked his 69th birthday