From Prince Osei BONSU, Memphis, Tennessee
Otumfuo Osei Tutu, the Asantehene, has asked Ghanaians living in the United States of America (USA) to come home to Ghana to invest.
The Asantehene assured them that his Kingdom will be giving vast lands to the investors, particularly Ghanaians who decide to make the transfer.
The Asantehene was speaking at a colorful cultural display in Memphis, Tennessee USA over the weekend.
The rich culture of Asanteman was at its best with the kente cloth, ntakrakye, atutufuo, afenafuo, and anything which can be worn as a traditional were at fully displayed.
Nana Otuo Serebuo Old Juabenehene, Baffour Opoku Otumfour Twafohene, Mr Kofi Badu Chief Of Staff at Manhyia, Nana Otimpie Aben Saasamohene, Nana Boakye Agyei Hiahene, Nana Osei Kwadwo Mamesenhene, Nana Atta Kusi Oboaduom Beberehene, Nana Osei Kofi Kyense #1, Nana
Hon Atta Boafo, Ghana Counsel General to the USA, Oheneba Owusu Korkor, Asampong Hene,
Nana Asua Amoako Fumesuahene, Nana Yaa Asantewaa Ejusu Hemaah, were there to support His Royal Majesty Otumfour Osei Tutu the Asantehene in Memphis.
Some Asanteman Association in USA too announced their presence in the May Day Celebration in Memphis.
Earlier on Thursday, the Asantehene had spoken at the University of Memphis.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, the Asantehene, opened his speech Thursday afternoon to a crowd at the University of Memphis by talking about the importance of education.
“It has been a policy, wherever our leaders have taken us, to seek to engage the youth in the educational system,” the king said. “Not only as a reflection of the priority we have put in education, but also because of our recognition that creating understanding in the youth is the surest way to ensure the future of the world.”
The speech, title
d “Contemporary Challenges in United States and Africa Relations,” was a part of the Memphis in May International Festival, a week-long series of programs to learn about the festival’s”honored country,” which is Ghana this year. Memphis in May first picked Ghana as the honored country in 2020, but the pandemic upended the city’s signature festival and events. Organizers decided to honor Ghana this year with national and local COVID-19 restrictions largely gone.
“Citizens of Memphis, you can be proud of this city for its foresight in establishing the Memphis in May International Festival,” the king said. “…we have traveled several hundred miles from across the oceans, in the very heart of Africa, to celebrate with the city this year and it is only right that we make the most of the opportunity to foster greater understanding as a contribution to the continental relations of the people of our two countries.”
Much of the 15-minute speech focused on educating the attendees on the history and culture of the Asante Empire and Ghana.
The Asante king, who will celebrate his 72nd birthday Friday in Memphis, is the 16th Asantehene and a direct descendant of the first Asante King, who founded the Asante Empire in 1701. A powerful state that resisted British colonization until the very end of the 19th century, the empire’s former territory is now part of modern Ghana, a presidential republic.
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