The 18-member Planning Committee for the year-long celebration by the Manhyia Palace has announced some reviews in their plans for the 25th Anniversary of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and the 150th Anniversary of the Sagrenti War.
This was relayed on Thursday, January 11, 2024, by the Chairman of the Committee, Daasebre Otuo Siriboe.
Sagrenti War
In commemorating the Sagrenti war which will be 150 years on February 6, 2024, Daasebre said a symposium will be held at the Great Hall of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).
Speakers for the symposium include, but are not limited to, Prof Emmanuel Akyeampong, who is the Oppenheimer Faculty Director of the Harvard University Centre for African Studies and Professor of History and African and African American Studies at Harvard University, and DrTom McCaskie, the head of the Centre of West African Studies at Birmingham University.
Dr Tom McCaskie has authored a book on the Sagrenti War.
The dress code for the symposium is anything but white, Daasebre noted.
This will be followed by a durbar on February 8 at the Manhyia Palace, where Asanteman will reflect on the impact of the war.
“On Thursday, we will hold a durbar at Dwabrem to commemorate the Day. The dress code is black.”
25th Anniversary
Otumfuo will be 25 years old on the Golden Stool on April 26, 2024. This will fall on a Friday.
On the review of this Anniversary celebration, Daasebre said, “On that day, a Thanksgiving Service will be held, however, the anniversary durbar has been planned to coincide with Akwasidae.”
The climax of the 25th Anniversary will therefore be held on May 12 at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi.
He noted that all grand anniversaries are observed at the Stadium and this one will be no different.