Otumfuo marks 70th birthday with prayers

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, yesterday celebrated his 70th birthday on a low key at the Manhyia Palace.

A private mass and breakfast with his family at the Manhyia Palace were the only events that marked the birthday.

The birthday had initially been planned to be an elaborate celebration to honour the Asantehene and also commemorate the 21st anniversary of his accession to the Golden Stool, which fell on April 21, but the plans had to change due to the ban on social and religious gatherings occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In compliance with the directive, the Manhyia Palace has, since March 18, been closed to all public events and visits.

Celebration

Otumfuo Osei Tutu, who was clad in white Kente, was joined by his wife, Lady Julia Osei Tutu; the Chief of Staff at the Manhyia Palace, Mr Kofi Badu, and some few members of staff and members of the Asantehene’s household for a private mass at Manhyia.

The Anglican Bishop of Kumasi, the Most Rev. Prof. Daniel Yinkah Sarfo, led the mass and offered prayers of thanksgiving and supplication for good health and long life for the Asantehene.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu later had breakfast with his family, who helped him cut a cake, after which he retired to his court.

Postponement

In an interview with the Daily Graphic, Mr Badu said apart from the mass which was held but restricted to only a few people, all other events planned for the celebration of the Otumfuo’s Platinum birthday had been postponed.

Instead, the Asantehene and his household spent the day in prayer to thank God for their lives, he said.

The Asantehene prayed that a lasting solution would be found to the pandemic with the development of a vaccine, he added.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has brought such suffering on our people that any form of celebration will be inappropriate. More importantly, the day has been used to pray for God’s favour in opening the minds of our scientists to the vaccine the world needs to overcome the pandemic,” Mr Badu said.

He indicated that some important events had been planned, which would have been climaxed with a grand celebration, with a number of foreign dignitaries in attendance, but all that had to be postponed due to the current situation in the country.

Congratulatory messages

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo led a number of personalities who sent congratulatory messages to the Otumfuo.

The President congratulated the Asantehene on chalking up such an important milestone.

“Welcome to the club of the blessed 70-year-old family. On this important milestone, I pray for God’s blessing of wisdom, good health, long life,  prosperity and many more years on the throne,” the message said.

Former President Jerry John Rawlings and his wife, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, also congratulated the Asantehene, describing him as a unique Ambassador of Ghana and Africa, saying: “For the past 21 years that you have been on the throne as the Asantehene, you have endeared yourself not only to the Ashanti Kingdom but also the entire country with your wisdom, leadership and calm demeanour.”

Former President John Dramani Mahama, in his message, wished the Asantehene good health and strength as he celebrated his 70th birthday and commended him for being an inspirational leader.

”As I have had the opportunity to indicate in the past, your achievements are nothing short of inspirational,” he added.

A message from the US Ambassador to Ghana, Ms Stephanie S. Sullivan, said: “Congratulations on your 70th birthday. Nana wo nkwa so!”

17th occupant

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II became the 17th occupant of the Golden Stool in 1999 following the demise of Otumfuo Opoku Ware II, who passed away at the age of 79, having reigned for 29 years.