The Ashanti Confederacy is the largest ethnic group in Ghana. Ashanti culture belongs to the Akan linguistic group which has many dialects. The Akan language is older than the city of Kumasi. It was one of the major languages spoken in Ghana Civilization near Old Mali between 300 and 600 AD. When Ghana Civilization fell the Akan people began a slow migration along the Niger and Volta rivers until they reached their present location. The Ashanti speak Twi dialect of the Akan language. Akan speaking people are the largest Linguistic group in the Republic of Ghana. Some of the other ethnic groups connected with this language are Brong (to the north of Ashanti), Anyi and Fanti (who live on the Ghanaian Coast next to the Atlantic Ocean). The Ashanti nation evolved about 1700 AD, through a scheme developed by Kumasehene (king) Obiri Yeboah Manu and a relative Okonfo Anokye. Obiri was Kumasehene of the Kumaseman State from about 1660 to 1680. A much large ethnic group known as Denkyra controlled the Kumasehene and his subjects. Obiri had a nephew Osei Tutu who was to become his successor if the scheme worked. He offered his nephew as hostage to the Denkyira Court. His plan was to have his nephew learn the political systems of Denkyia. Then he put Okonfo Anokye in charge of watching over and coaching the child’s development as his spiritual counselor. After Obiri Yeboah Manu death the young nephew and Okonfo Anokye developed a bond which enabled the two individuals to work as one man rather than two. Together they were able to conquer the Denkyra Kingdom and many other ethnic groups of the surrounding area. Osei Tuttu would become the last of his line Kumasehene of Kumaseman State from about 1680 – 1701 and the first Asantahene of Kumasi from about 1701 - 1717. The date for the beginning of Ashanti Empire has often been set at 1689.

Blackened Royal Ancestor Stool Display in Stool House & Stool Kitchen -

One of the first things you should understand about ancestor stools is they are not carved. Ancestor stools are designated. A stool is selected from an assortment of personal stools used by the deceased. It might be a stool that was a favorite during meal times, or one used during shower or bath. The only way to get an ancestor stool carved is have the whole house burn down with al the occupants personal stools left inside, then an ancestor stool probably would be carved.

Many customs concerning ancestor reverence are practiced by many indigenous cultures all over the world.

A stool is similar to a photograph of the deceased person. In other cultures that come under western influence, members of the deceased family member place a photograph on an altar display set up for the departed family member in their homes. Some families have several altars in different parts of the family compound. Each morning when family members get up they pay homage to that family member before eating breakfast and going to work. One member leaves some small piece of fruit; water for the departed soul to eat. In China they burn incense along with the food. During the first week of April each year peasants all over China practice “sweeping of the graves”. One of the older family members is in charge of directing activities at the gravesite. Fake money and fake cloths are burned at the grave plots for family members to wear and use. The departed also receives tiny dishes of food and water. Foods for the family banquet are prepared for the ancestors to bless. Each dish one by one is viewed and blessed by the family spirits. The affair is like a form of catechism for middle class Chines peasants and a serous affair for the poor. This event is also a family reunion and a national holiday. People don’t have to go to work. You would not know at first site that the setting was at a seminary because many people are laughing and joking about the emperor fake money and fake paper closed they bought from the stores.

After families leave each row of graves cemetery officials set of a massive amount of fire crackers creating a tremendous amount of smoke and noise to chase stray spirits that don’t belong there out so that they don’t steal the food.

The above text in sienna tone was written by the following © Claude Lockhart Clark November 6, 2014 Any additional information for this section were obtain from the following sources – (1.) The Sacred Stools of the Akan by Peter Sarpong / Publish by Ghana Publishing Corporation in 1971 in Tema Ghana – (2.) The Rise and Decline of Asante (An introduction to the History and Culture of Ashante) by G.K. Osei / Published by African Publication Society in London England 1979 – (3.) Panoply of Ghana by A.A.Y. Kyerematen / Published by Frederick A. Praeger in New York 1964

King Kwaku Dua & Golden Stool in Kumasi with attendants Date1880

This picture is said to be Asantehene Kwaku Dua, but the informant fails to tell us which Kwaku Dua was on the thrown If we go by the date given in the photograph 1880 then the date is incorrect because there was no Kwaku Dua instooled at that time. The closest date was to 1880 is 1884 and it was Kwaku Dua II that was on the thrown and his reign only lasted 40 days. The stool said to be a golden stool is not Sikadwa Kofi. Hopefully the person in the photograph is an Asantehene rather than one of the lesser chiefs and hopefully the informant that took this picture knows the difference between the urban area of Kumasi as oppose to being in some other town or community. The picture of an Ashanti King, shown above was obtained from Ghana Rising - at http://ghanarising.blogspot.com/2013/05/history-ghanas-majestic-past-people.html

ASANTE KINGS OF THE TWENTIETH [&] [TWENTY] [FIRST] CENTURY - Nana Prempeh I (1872 -1931) K.M.A.C of birth 18/12/1872 KINGS Died 12/5/1931

top | Kwaku Dua? | Yaa Asantewaa1 | Nana Kwaadu | Agyemang Prempeh II | Ama Serwaa | Opoku Ware II |Nana Afia | Osei Tutu II | Nana Difie | List |

Asantehene Nana Prempeh I was 16 years old when he was instooled on the thrown in Kumasi, March 26th 1888. The British had put Kumasi into shambles and the confederacy was breaking apart so the Ashanti had to do with less power. Prempeh I wanted to make peace with the British and save the Kumasi Kingdom as separate from the Gold Coast, but the British wanted no part of it. They wanted to put a puppet king in place of the elected king The British put the new king in prison hoping that with him and members of his family in prison that the Ashanti would permit the British to chose a king for them. There was one problem however; the golden stool stood in the way. The contest for Asantehene in the nineteenth century turned into protracted hostilities and clashes between supporters of the two contestants. This lasted from April 1886 till 26th March 1888 when Prempeh, the brother of the late king Kwaku Dua II, was enstooled in the presence of one Mr. Barnett, a British official. Prempeh assumed the stool name Kwaku Dua III. Asante tradition required the presence of the paramount chiefs of Mampong and Kokofu at the ceremony, but they were absent because they were sympathetic to Yaw Twereboanna, the other contestant, and feared they might be killed. Therefore, strictly speaking, the installation was incomplete and hardly legal. However, their representatives were present and assured Mr. Barnett that they would raise no further objections. It was not until after the final funeral rites for K waku Duah II that the new king with the stool name Prempeh I was traditionally and properly enstooled. This took place on 11th June 1894 and was attended by the new chief of Mampong. Prempeh's kingship was beset by the gravest difficulties from the very onset of his reign. Despite his youth, he showed great diplomatic ability. He tried to restore the vanished glories of his empire and defend its independence against British interference in its internal matters regarding the exile of some rebels and the succession of some towns including Mampong, Kwahu, Sehwi and 'also against British intentions of bringing Asante under its protectorate. When Prempeh I was asked to accept a British protectorate over his state he rejected it and politely yet firmly replied that the Governor had misjudged the situation. He wrote: The question of Asante exiles under British protection, security in Kumasi and the annexation of Kumasi to the Gold Coast Colony contributed to deteriorate relations with the British. In April 1895 an Asante party left for England to explain the situation in Kumasi to the Colonial Office but the Colonial Office refused to see them. While in England John Owusu-Ansah, one of the members of the embassy, however, managed to negotiate an agreement to accept a British Resident at Kumasi. However, the other members of the embassy realised on their return in Cape Coast that this meant the king had to pay for the cost of the mission, and felt that the king had been deceived, and left for Kumasi . On 17th January 1896 a British expedition including troops approached Kumasi . Asante offered no resistance to the expedition and Prempeh used diplomacy only in a vain attempt to halt their advance. Queen Mother Yaa Asantewaa1 War Queen Yaa Asantewaa1 You have a choice of two movies or both. Both movies are about Asantehemaa Yaa Asantewaa1. The first one on the left is a play and historical account of her battles and journey. The movie on the right shows oral Ashanti historians giving a full account of what happened. Click on the pictures above to see the movies. I it was not for the actions of this queen both the Ashanti and the republic of Ghana would be a very different place today. Asantehemaa Queen Mother Yaa Asantewaa1 reigned during the time of Asantehene Prempeh I. She was the first to serve with Asantehene Prempeh I. Yaa Asantewaa1 played a key role in making the British respect the Ashanti people. The men of the nobility were crawling on their hands and knees in London trying to plead their case before the court of England. Mother Yaa convinced the men of Ashanti that the colonialist had taken things too far by disrespecting the Golden Stool and it was time to declare war on the British. The Ashanti lost the war, but the British were careful with Ashanti people after that, because they did not know when another woman might try to start something. Queen Mother is a title given to a woman who heads the Ashanti nation. The Queen Mother is biologically related to the Asantehene, but she is not his mother or his wife. Kings are made through a matrilineal process. If you follow the succession of Queen Mothers then it is much easier to tell who the next Asantehene may be. The political structure is patriarchy not matriarchy. Queen Mother has power equal to the Asantehene because of a net work of biologically kin brothers and uncles devoted to her. She uses them to rock the boat whenever she has to. Sienna text is was written by © Claude Lockhart Clark November 6, 2014 Nana Kwaadu Yiadom II, Asantehemaa Nana Kwaadu Yiadom II reign spans the reign of two Asantehene. The first one was Asantehene Nana Kwaku Dua III (Nana Agyeman Prempeh I) 1888-1931. His reign lasted 43 years Dua III was the 13th Asantehene. The second Asantehene, Nana Agyeman Prempeh II came to power in 1931 and reigned for 39 until his death in 1970. Asantehemaa Nana Kwaadu Yiadom II died in 1945. Next came Asantehemaa Nana Ama Serwaa Nyarko II to finish out the reign of Asantehene Nana Agyeman Prempeh II. Nana Kwaadu Yiadom II, (1917 - 1945) sitting in state during a Kumasi durbar. Nana was the sister of Nana Prempeh I. Nana will be remembered for her joyous Adowa dance during the restoration of the Asante Confederacy, which led to the Governor alluding to her Kentenkye hair design as a ' dancing crown', from which the word dansinkran( having overshadowed the proper name ) has its origins. She was a formidable Queen in her own right. ( Accounts of those in the know )...Credit...Meyerowitz Sienna text was written by © Claude Lockhart Clark November 21, 2014 The picture and information in gray text which follows above are taken from Nana Akrase Blogspot @ Google - http://akrase.blogspot.com/2008_01_01_archive.html The Governor at a Durbar on 20th January in Kumasi insisted that since Asante had not observed the terms of a previous Treaty of Fomena, he would not accept any promises regarding the payment of the cost of the embassy to Kumasi. No new treaty would also be concluded unless the cost of the expedition was paid in full or a large percentage of it paid. Prempeh and the Queen mother pleaded to pay about 7,000 ounces of gold and the balance of 43,000 ounces paid in installments. Tweets by @ClaudeLClark Governor Maxwell refused and requested that Prempeh and some of his chiefs proceed under escort to Cape Coast. The Governor then arrested the King, his mother Asantehemaa Yaa Akyaa, the father and brothers of Prempeh, his uncles, Mamponghene, Ofinsohene, Ejisuhene, the two war-chiefs (Krontihene and Akwamuhene)and some others. They were first taken to the coast and imprisoned in the Elmina Castle . They were later exiled to Sierra Leone in January 1897 and eventually sent to the Seychelles Islands in 1900. A group photograph of Asante 's taken into exile. The front row include Kwaku Fosu, Akyeamehene, Osukye, Mamponghene, Kwasi Gyambibi, king's father, Interpreter, Prempeh, Yaa Akyaa, Asantehemaa, Akepemhene and Agyeman Badu, king's brother. There were mixed reactions concerning this action. It took the Colonial Office by surprise, as they were not expecting this from the Governor. The Asantes also bitterly resented the deportation of their king. The feeling in Kumasi and surrounding towns such as Ofinso and Ejisu over the removal of Asantehene was bitter and deep. However, it was seen differently in some of the Brong states to the north and northwest of Kumasi who regarded the arrests and hoisting of the British flag as deliverance from Asante . As a hero in exile, Prempeh acted as a more powerful rallying point for the forces of Ashanti nationalism than he would have otherwise done physically back home. The Asantes therefore refused to enstool a new king and still recognised the exiled Prempeh I as their substantive king. Indeed, they declared a war of independence to drive away the British in April 1900 under the leadership of the famous Yaa Asantewaa, the Queen of Edweso, which lasted till about January 1901. The government therefore gave up the idea of securing a new Asantehene on the Golden Stool. Hence, Kumasi remained quite chaotic until the return of Prempeh I in 1924. Even though it was categorically spelt out to him that he returned home as a private citizen, he was immediately recognised by his people as the Asantehene and given the Golden Stool and all stool properties; many Amanhene took the oath of allegiance to him and even celebrated the Adae festival. Governor Sir Shenton wrote that: "In the eyes of the government he returned as a private citizen ... in the eyes of Ashanti it was their Asantehene who had come back to them. The Golden Stool had once more an occupant and the people had once more their supreme spiritual head". Later on he was, however, recognised as Kumasihene and undertook its reorganisation. He was awarded the King's Medal for African Chiefs (K.M.A.C.) on 11th June 1930 and died on 12th May 1931. Material is taken from the Manhyia Archives – in Kumasi Manhyia Archives

ASANTE KINGS OF THE TWENTIETH [&] [TWENTY] [FIRST] CENTURY
The Asantehene (King of Ashanti) Nana Otumfoe Sir Osai Agyemang Prempeh II
(ruled April 24, 1933 - May 27, 1970).

After the difficult and turbulent reign of Prempeh I, Kwame Kyiretwie was enstooled after the death of Prempeh I initially as Kumasihene and later as the first "official" Asantehene in the Twentieth Century, with the stool name Nana Osei Tutu Agyeman Prempeh II. Kwame Kyiretwie was born in 1892 to Nana Abakoma, daughter of Nana Yaa Akyaa, Queen of Asante, and Okyeame Kwaku Owusu of Ejisu. Legend has it that on the day he was born a lion appeared in Kumasi and was caught, hence the name Kyiretwie. He was employed at the Kumasi Officer's Mess in 1905 for two years, where he obtained funds to attend Kumasi Methodist School from 1907 to 1915 and then the government school in Kumasi.

As a young man he played an active part in the social life of his people. He took particular interest in football and singing and became a chorister at the Methodist church. He was also a founding member of the Asante Kotoko Society which played a leading role in the repatriation of Prempeh I from the Seychelles .

In 1931 he was installed as Kumasihene. In that same year he immediately began to work vigorously for the restoration of Asante Confederacy which was eventually accomplished in 1935. Accordingly his status was raised from that ofKumasihene to Asantehene. This was one of his greatest achievements.

Material is taken from the Manhyia Archives – in Kumasi Manhyia Archives

Nana Ama Serwaa Nyarko II

An authentic African beauty. This picture was the first formal photograph of Nana Ama Serwaa Nyarko II, taken after her installation in 1945. Nana was then in her mid-sixties. Credit to Kyerematen. Nana Ama Serwaa Nyarko II. Asantehemaa from (1945-1977). In November of that fateful year, Nana crossed the Great River to rest forever with Nananom Adikanfo>. Nana was the eldest sister of Otumfuo Opoku Ware II's mother, Nana Akua Mansa. The picture and information above are taken from Nana Akrase Blogspot @ Google - http://akrase.blogspot.com/2008_01_01_archive.html Other Achievements During his reign he managed to get large parts of Asante lands, which had been taken over by the British, restored to the Golden Stool. He also established friendly relations between Asante and the other states in Ghana. In 1937 he was honoured by His Majesty the King of England with the insignia of Knight of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire . In August 1965, he was decorated with the personal gold medal of His Holiness, Pope John. President Tubman of Liberia also decorated him with the Humane Order of African Redemption in 1968. During his reign many schools and colleges were constructed; and he also gave a large tract of land for the construction of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. In 1969, the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi , awarded him an honourary degree of Doctor of Science. On September 30th 1969, the Government of Ghana conferred the Order of the Volta on him and a month later he was made President of the National House of Chiefs and again in the same month, elected to the Council of State. It was during the reign of Prempeh II that the Kumasi Cultural Centre was constructed. He actively participated with other Asante chiefs and the educated elite in the quest for independence. Their quest for a federal system of government led to a protest movement, which resulted in violent confrontation with the CPP. However, when the CPP won the election, the king co-operated with the new government in the interest of peace and national unity prevailed." Prempeh II believed in traditional values and devoted himself, to the study of his people. He at all times tried to uphold the dignity, pomp and pageantry that should characterise the institution of chieftaincy. He was an authority in Akan constitutional and historical matters. Backed by his knowledge, Prempeh II administered customary law and justice with fairness, thoroughness and splendour. His court in Manhyia re-established itself as the great seat of learning in Akan history, tradition and culture. Otumfuo Sir Agyeman Prempeh II was a man with a good sense of humour, and the greatest generosity. He received visitors with open arms and shared his experiences and knowledge about the rich Asante customs, traditions and history with them. His integrity, sincere devotion, cordial sympathy, comprehensive knowledge, authority and his unequalled experience in chieftaincy and traditional matters earned him acclamation as a fountain of wisdom to all people. He died at the age of 78 years at the Manhyia Palace, Kumasi in May 1970. Material is taken from the Manhyia Archives – in Kumasi Manhyia Archives The Golden Stool reemerges from obscurity during the reign of Asantehene Nana Otumfoe Osai Agyemang Prempeh II. Ashanti once again feel united in a single purpose and direction. During the reign of Prempeh I the British authorities were mistreating Ashanti people and as the last straw they wanted to disrespect the golden stool as well, so it was decided to hide it and put it away. When Otumfuo Sir Agyeman Prempeh II came to power the golden stool was brought out of hiding and displayed on special occasions. The golden stool was once again apart of Ashanti State activities. Golden Sool appears in public once every 5 years. Sienna text is was written by © Claude Lockhart Clark November 6, 2014 ASANTE KINGS OF THE TWENTIETH [&] [TWENTY] [FIRST] CENTURY - Otumfuo Opoku Ware II 1970 - 1999 Prempeh Date birth 30th November 1919 Died on 25th February 1999 Otumfuo Opoku Ware II, known in private life as Matthew Jacob Kwaku Adusei Poku, was born in Kumasi on 30th November 1919 and became Asantehene in 1970 with the stool name Otumfuo Opoku Ware II, after the death of Prempeh II. He attended Adisadel College in Cape Coast . He became a surveyor and worked as a building inspector with the Kumasi Town Council from 1937 to 1940. He also worked with the Public Works Department and the Royal Airforce as a building draughtsman and surveyor from 1941 to 1943 and later at the Asantehene's land office in Kumasi. In 1952 he left for the United Kingdom to study law and was called to the Bar at Middle Temple in 1962. In 1968 the National Liberation Council appointed him Commissioner for Transport and Communications. In 1970 he was appointed Ghana 's Ambassador-designate to Italy , but he returned home shortly afterwards because of the death of his uncle Nana Osei Agyeman Prempeh II. On 6th July 1970 he was introduced to the chiefs and people of Asanteman Council at the Manhyia Palace as Asantehene-elect and on 27th July 1970 installed as Otumfuo Opoku Ware II, at the age of 52, the 15th occupant of the Golden Stool. Material is taken from the Manhyia Archives – in Kumasi Manhyia Archives Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem II The present Asantehemaa, Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem II, (1977- )sitting in state during an Adaekese3 celebration in Kumasi in 1991. Nana now, at a very advanced age, is seen here, seated on her gold gilded stool, and surrounded by her court attendants i.e the Mmodwoafuo and the nkotimse. Credit: Abayie Boaten, Prof.. Akan Queen mothers are very powerful. They are the actual rulers. A king jokes with a Queen mother at his own peril. They are the king makers and can remove a King from office. They are related to the Asantehene, but they are not his mother or wife. This Akwapim riegned under Otumfuo Opoku Ware II. The picture and information above are taken from Nana Akrase Blogspot @ Google - http://akrase.blogspot.com/2008_01_01_archive.html Otumfuo Opoku Ware II brought chieftaincy into the modern [modem (miss-sp)] age of the Twentieth Century. He created paramountcies for other Asante tra­ditional areas when he felt it necessary. He created new positions of reward for service and development such as Nkosuohene, or chief of devel­opment, Sompahene, stool for good service, Aboafohene, helper of people, and Dwantoahene, sympathetic chief through whom people could seek help. Otumfuo Opoku Ware II was elected unopposed as president of the National House of Chiefs for four terms of three years each. All cases, which came to him at the National House of Chiefs and to his own Manhyia court, were adjudicated with fairness. Through his instrumen­tality several chieftaincy disputes were settled out of court. He impressed upon other chiefs in Asante not to allow political affiliations to destroy the revered institution they swore to uphold and protect. During his reign, Otumfuo Opoku Ware II projected not only the Golden Stool of Asante but also the institution of chieftaincy in Ghana and exposed it to several parts of the world. There were also important events which portrayed the wealth and glory of Asante . For example the Kingdom of Gold Exhibition in the United Kingdom in 1980 and Asante Kingdom of Gold in the United States of America at the Museum of Natural History in 1986, which were both attended by Otumfuo Opoku Ware II. One of his other great achievements throughout his twenty-nine years reign was working with governments of different persuasions. In all he dealt with eight different governments, namely the Ankrah's National Liberation Council (NLC), Busia's Progress Party (PP) regime, Acheampong's Supreme Military Council (SMC I) and Akuffo's (SMC II), Rawlings' Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC), Liman's People's National Party (PNP) and the two successive Rawlings' governments of the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) and National Democratic Congress (NDC) governments. To have gone through all these unscathed meant that he possessed immense tact and wisdom. Otumfuo Opoku Ware II engaged in extensive international travel, promoting Asante and Ghanaian culture as well as his love for peace and unity. He died at Manhyia in February 1999. Material is taken from the Manhyia Archives – in Kumasi Manhyia Archives ASANTE KINGS OF THE TWENTIETH [&] [TWENTY] [FIRST] CENTURY - - Otumfuo Opoku Osei Tutu II - (1999- To Date) Date of birth May 1950 Otumfuo Osei Tutu II is the 16 th Asantehene, King of the Asante . He ascended the Golden Stool on 26 th April, 1999. He is a direct descendant of the founder of the Asante Kingdom Osei Tutu I. Born on 6 th May, 1950 and named Barima Kwaku Dua, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II is the youngest of the five children of Nana Afua Kobi Serwaa Ampem II, Asantehemaa (Queen mother of Asante ). From early childhood, Barima Kwaku Dua came under the tutelage of his Uncle, Oheneba Mensah Bonsu who had been enstooled as Hiahene in 1952. Oheneba Mensah Bonsu, therefore, ensured that Barima Kwaku Dua benefited from a childhood of careful grooming in Asante traditions and statecraft ( the young royal was given his Secondary Education at Sefwi Wiawso Secondary School in the Western Region of Ghana) where for five years, his guardian was Nana Kwadwo Aduhene II, Omanhene ( Paramount Chief) of Sefwi Wiawso Traditional Area. Barima Kwaku Dua returned to Kumasi in 1969 and enrolled at the Osei Kyeretwie Secondary School . He then moved to Accra in 1971 and was admitted at the Institute of Professional Studies , Legon for a course in Accountancy. Two years later, he travelled to the United Kingdom and continued his Accountancy Studies at the Kilburn Polytechnic. He later attended the University of North London where he read Human Resource Development and Pubic Administration. By the time he returned the Ghana in 1989 to establish his own business, Transpomech International (Ghana) Ltd., he had behind him a wealth of experience which he had gathered working as Senior Consultant with Mutual of Omaha Insurance Company of Toronto; Finance Officer at the British firm Oxo, in London; and as Personnel Administrator at the Manpower Services Commission attached to Brent Council in London. Barima Kwaku Dua's nomination to succeed his late brother Otumfuo Opoku Ware II, as Asantehene, was received with universal acclaim in the Asante Kingdom and Ghana general. He ascended the Golden Stool with a natural gift of calm and radiance, which instantly inspires loyalty and motivates people round him. He learnt values of courtesy and tact in dealing with both his peers and subjects; he had grown up with a conviction that traditional leadership rests on a capacity to reconcile, mend, heal wounds and motivate people. Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has won great admiration for the unique brand of leadership he has provided the people of Asante , in particular, and Ghana in general, since he assumed the high office of Asantehene and the enormous responsibilities that go with the position. Ever mindful of the importance of peace and stability to good governance, one of his first tasks was to encourage his people to seek the path of arbitration instead of litigation in numerous land and succession disputes that had plagued Asanteman for decades. This task, he has performed with great wisdom and tenacity of purpose, earning for himself remarkable respect among the people. The vision of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II encompasses education, health and economic development. Material is taken from the Manhyia Archives – in Kumasi Manhyia Archives Asante Mampong, Nana Agyakoma Difie Queen mother Nana Agyakoma Difie is a political activist. She is the current Asante Mampong along with Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II. Mampong is like a palace area located in Kumasi. The Asantehemaa and Asantehene live in Mampong. The old Asantehemaa, Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem II began her reign under Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II senior brother Otumfuo Opoku Ware II. She may be still alive in which case Nana Agyakoma Difie would not be Asantehemaa yet. Sienna text is was written by © Claude Lockhart Clark November 6, 2014 He set up the Otumfuo Education Fund to generate resources, effort to provide opportunities for quality Primary, Secondary, Tertiary and Vocational Education not only in his Kingdom, but also in Ghana generally. In 2000, he embarked upon a vigorous campaign to draw attention to the benefits of individual/group sponsorship of the education of orphaned children. Over the first five years, the Otumfuo Education Fund has benefited over 4,000 students at various levels of education. It was his keen determination to enhance the quality of education of Ghanaians that he received the commendation of the Association of Commonwealth Universities, conferring on him the Symons Award in April, 2000. Asantehene Osei Tutu II Wife Lady Julia Osei Tutu Asantehene Osei Tutu II Received Guest in London of Ghanian Origins To find out what the occasion is about click on the Asantehene picture above to your left, then when finished click the yellow back button to return to this page. Lady Julia Osei Tutu is the wife of Asantehene Osei Tutu II. She doesn't have political clout. Nana Agyakoma Difie is the one with political power. Nana Agyakoma Difie sits next to the King at festival gatherings. She is not the king's honey bunch. She is a political leader the same as he is. Sienna text is was written by © Claude Lockhart Clark November 6, 2014 Besides, five Universities including Glasgow University , University of Maryland , Eastern Shore, Essex Country College , University of Ghana Legon and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology have given him honorary Doctorate degrees. To crown it he has been appointed Chancellor of one of the most prestigious Universities in Africa – Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi . Another initiative of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, is the Health Fund he has established to pursue a basic health care plan whose laudable objectives include financial and material support for the reduction of maternal and infant mortality, Glaucoma and other eye diseases, Buruli Ulcer (which has become the bane of many rural dwellers in the country), as well as the eradication of Guinea Worm disease. In this direction, Otumfuo has already begun supporting Rotary Club's campaign to promote inoculation of children against the six killer diseases including polio. He had also set up the Serwah Ampem Aids Foundation for children under the leadership of his wife, Lady Julia Osei Tutu to help children who have become victims of the HIV/AIDS Pandemic. In his own initiative Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, secured a World Bank Project with the approval of the Government of Ghana. Entitled; ‘Promoting Partnership with Traditional Authorities Project;, it has thrown a challenge to our Traditional Leaders to demonstrate their capacity to use their own resources in response to financial support made available by the Government or the World Bank to help develop their communities. Under the Project, new school, buildings have been built, old ones have been rehabilitated, and teachers residential quarters have been erected with facilities for potable water and electricity supply; HIV/AIDS and general health campaign in co-operation with the state agencies has be stepped up in the rural areas. The Project has put our traditional leaders into a new learning process to lead their people in community development programmes, and has created awareness of the value of our cultural heritage, including art and artefacts, as well as our traditional court systems in conflict resolution. Otumfuo's vision includes the setting up of an Asanteman Economic Revitalisation Plan to promote private and corporate investment in Local Industries, re-afforestation, and irrigation programmes. He has already extended invitation to all prospective investors to Ashanti , with a firm promise of easy access to land. Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has brought peace and reconciliation to his Kingdom within the short span of five years that he has been in power. He has settled over 400 chieftaincy and land disputes: he has established a solid foundation for co-operation between tradition and modernism, by emphasizing the need for tradition to redefine itself in a rapidly changing world without losing its essence. Since ascending the throne Otumfuo has been the official guest of many world dignitaries including, Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain , Queen Beatrix of Holland , Mr. Jim Wolfonnson President of the World Bank, Mr. Kofi Annan, U.N. Secretary General, President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa, Mr. Nelson Mandela, Mr. Don McKinnon, Commonwealth Secretary-General, the President of Ethiopia, the Archbishop of Canterbury, President Alhaji Tejan Kabbah of Sierra Leone, President Muammar Al Quathafi of Libya and King Mohammed VI of Morocco. He has also played host to heads of state including President Alhaji Ahmed Tejan Kabbah, Col. Muammar Alqathafi of Libya , Alpha Konare of Mali, Blaise Campoari of Burkina Faso , Lauren Gbagbo of Cote d'Ivoire . Other dignitaries are Messrs Jim Wolfonson, Kofi Annan, Dan McKinnon, Prince Al-Aweed of Saudi Arabia , Prince Alexandre of Netherlands , Head of World-Wide Ahmediyya Muslim Mission, Archbishop of Canterbury, King of Bafokeng of South Africa, President Mwanawasa of Zambia , other Statesmen, International Business Executives and high profile religious leaders and celebrities. He has also addressed the International Cocoa Organization, London , the Plenary session of the Economic Commission for Africa , Addis Ababa and many business flora in South Africa , Europe and the United States , including the Distinguished Africa Address in Harvard University , and as Royal Guest of Honour to the 7 th Session of the Anyiam-Osigwe Lecture in Lagos. He recently addressed staff and students of China Foreign Affairs University in China at the invitation of Chinese Peoples Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries. Otumfuo Osei Tutu II stands tall as a visionary, a great leader of Asanteman, leading in the preservation of cultural heritage as well as combining modernism and tradition to promote the education, health, and economic development of his people. Material is taken from the Manhyia Archives – in Kumasi Manhyia Archives List of Asantehene (Kings) of the Kingdom of Ashanti & Ashanti Empire Otumfuo Nana Osei Tutu Opemsoo 1697 – 1731 / 34 yr. reign Nana Opoku Ware I 1731-1742 / 11 yr. reign Nana Kusi Bodom 1742- 1752 / 10 yr. reign Nana Osei Kwadwo 1752-1781 / 29 yr reign Nana Osei Kwame 1781-1791 / 10 yr. reign Nana Opoku Fofe 1791-1799 / 8 yr. reign Nana Osei Bonsu 1799-1824 / 25 yr. reign Nana Yaw Akoto 1824-1838 / 14 yr. reign Nana Kwaku Duah I 1838-1867 /29 yr. reign Nana Kofi Karikari 1867-1874 / 7 yr. reign Nana Mensah Bonsu 1874-1883 / 9 yr. reign Nana Kwaku Dua II 1884-1884 / 40 days. reigh Nana Kwaku Dua III (Nana Agyeman Prempeh I) 1888-1931 / 43 yr. reign Nana Agyeman Prempeh II 1931-1970 / 39 yr. reign Nana Opoku Ware II 1970-1999 / 29 yr. reign Nana OOtumfuo Osei Tutu II 1999 - Present