Asantehene Arrives In London On Monday

The United Kingdom will celebrate this year’s Black History Month in a very unique and grand style. Black History month of October is celebrated mainly to reflect on issues affecting the large Black population world-wide. It brings to sharp focus not only what the Black has done in getting the world going but more importantly what the Black still can do to make this world a better place to live in.

During this period several activities are held to draw the attention of the people of this planet earth and their leaders to the contributions made as well as the problems faced by the Black.

This year the occasion coincides with the first ever international trade and cultural exhibition at the prestigious Alexandra Palace in North London to showcase almost everything about Ghana. The event is being organised by EXPO AFRICA LTD, an events management and marketing company which organises exhibitions, conferences, seminars and concerts to showcase economic, cultural tourism and other potentials of the world‘s Black community.

Ghana Expo 2003, themed ‘The Golden Age of Business – A reality in Ghana’ is to be an annual experience. Among other things, GHANA EXPO 2003 aims at showcasing the numerous economic potentials found in manufacturing, housing, tourism and other sectors of the Ghanaian economy. Other African countries are also taking part in the event, which is the first of its kind to provide a unique platform of partnership among Ghanaian and European businesses.

The occasion is attracting very high ranking and distinguished political, traditional and business figures including the President of the Republic of Ghana His Excellency, John Agyekum Kuffuor, his Vice, Alhaji Aliu Mahama, the King of the Asante Kingdom in Ghana, His Royal Majesty Otumfour Osei Tutu II and the Prince of Wales, Prince Charles.

As part of the five-day event, a grand durbar would be held to portray the rich culture of Ghana at the Alexandra Palace on 19th October, 2003, from 12 noon to 6.00pm. The Asantehene, Otumfour Osei Tutu in pomp and pageantry, will sit in state to receive dignitaries, exhibitors and visitors invited from around the globe in the West Hall of the Alexandra Palace in North London. Very renowned performing groups from Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, other African countries as well as the UK are billed to perform at the function.

Otumfour Osei Tutu II, one of the world’s greatest kings, arrives in London on Monday for the five-day event commencing Wednesday the 16th October, 2003. This is obviously not the first nor the last visit to the United Kingdom by the King, but perhaps the most unique of all where people from around the globe would have the privilege to pay him homage under one roof.

The king would also host a royal Fund-raising dinner dance at the same venue on Saturday, 18th October. Proceeds will be donated by the organisers to one of the most beneficial funds ever set by a single individual or group of people to fund education in the land of Ghana - The Otumfour Education Fund.

This is a fund set up by the King to help address problems and disparities in the educational structure in Ghana. Currently, thousands of school pupils and university students as well as educational institutions have gratefully benefited from the fund set some three years ago.

The fund and other pragmatic measures taken by the king such as conflict resolution, the fight against AIDS, just to mention but few, brings into sharp focus what the name Osei Tutu as king can do by way of fighting against injustice, oppression, poverty and for human rights.

In 1999, the then Nana Kwaku Dua, an accountant and personnel manager who had worked in Britain, Canada and Ghana, was elected as the 16th successor to the golden throne of the Ashantis. On his installation memories were quickly and sharply reflected onto the first Asantehene, Otumfour Osei Tutu I, who fought fearlessly to liberate his people from injustice and oppression and established the kingdom as one of the greatest on the land of Africa.

His people affectionately call him King Solomon not only because he is wise but also as a king of vision and compassion not only for his people but all who live under the sun.

Indeed if Otumfour Osei Tutu 1 arose to liberate his people from oppression and injustice, Otumfour Osei Tutu 11 has come to set free not only his people but all others from the shackles of poverty and ignorance.

Such has made the historic kingdom of Ashanti and it’s illustrious leader a property and a place belonging to mankind irrespective of where one comes from. His participation in the historic trade and cultural fair in London this October is therefore not only to showcase the rich cultural heritage of the people of Ashanti and Ghana but also intensify the bond between the world particularly Britain and Ghana.

Ghanaians, the Black community in UK and indeed all welcome the king to London.