Lady Julia speaking at the 74th birthday dinner of the Asantehene, her husband
Lady Julia, the wife of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II may not always be the center of attraction, especially when her husband is around, but little arguments go with the fact that when she does show up, or speaks, all ears listen.
Revered and admired by many for her natural beauty and her gracefulness, the Princess Consort of Asanteman was at her usual glamourous self when the Asantehene hosted a dinner party to commemorate his 74th birthday.
With dignitaries like the Ga Mantse, King Tackie Taiko Tsuru II; the Okyenhene, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin; the Chief of Staff of Ghana, Akosua Frema Osei-Opare; and Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, former First Lady, in attendance, Lady Julia’s moment came when she stood up to wish her husband well.
Recalling, for instance, how she and the Otumfuo first met and how she got to be his wife, she also pledged her undying love and support for the king of the Ashanti kingdom, reaffirming her promise to be his peace.
Laced with intermittent pet names for her husband, the Asantehene, as well as the spontaneous cheerful giggles and responses from the room, the Princess Consort dazzled many who watched her speak.
“At the end of the event, even though it had started to rain, he refused to leave despite the prompting of his courtiers. He made sure he found out who I was and how to get in touch with me before leaving the event grounds.
“That evening, I was summoned to dinner by my managing director, the late John Ackah at Otumfuo’s residence. Little did I know that I was auditioning for the role of a lifetime.
“And here we are 22 wonderful years later and many beautiful children and grandchildren, nieces, nephews and an amazing extended family,” Lady Julia fondly reminisced.
Below is a full transcript of the ‘love letter’ Lady Julia read out to her ‘sweet,’ Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, as transcribed by GhanaWeb:
Excellencies of the high table, Nananom, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I welcome all of you to this most special occasion - the 74th birthday of my dear husband which also coincides with the very auspicious occasion of the 25th anniversary of his ascension to the throne of our beloved Asante kingdom.
Otumfuo's reign has been characterized by his remarkable achievements in peace-making, nation building, development, education, health and building bridges between the international community, Asanteman and Ghana as a whole. My dearest, I congratulate you on all your exemplary achievements.
To say I'm proud of you would be an understatement. Otumfuo and I first met when I came to Kumasi as the Legal and Corporate Affairs Officer of Ecobank Ghana. I was tasked with giving the vote of thanks for the inauguration of the first branch of Ecobank in Kumasi.
He tells me that he was mesmerized but at the end of the ceremony, even though it had started to rain, he refused to leave. Despite the prompting of his courtiers, he made sure he found out who I was and how to get in touch with me.
Before leaving the event grounds that evening, I was summoned by my managing director, the late John to dinner at Otumfuo's residence. Little did I know that I was auditioning for the role of a lifetime. And here we are, 22 wonderful years later and many beautiful children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and an amazing extended family, including Nananom.
Special mention must be made of my late mother-in-law, Nana Serwaa Ampem, the Asantehemaa who blessed me with this wonderful husband and many, many conversations filled with advice and love.
A tradition that has been continued by the current Asantehemaa, my sister-in-law Nana Ama Konadu Yiadom III. These years together have been truly exceptional and I continue to pinch myself daily to remind myself that this is not a dream, but indeed the wonderful life you promised me when we first met. You have exceeded my expectations and I pray that the good Lord blesses you with many more years to continue your reign and to be the amazing father, husband, grandfather and patriarch that you are to us all distinguished guests.
I cannot thank you enough for joining us in this celebration today. Each and every one of you here has a relationship with Otumfuo and that is a testament that he is a king to us all, a father to many of you, a brother to some and his ability to make time for each and every one of us here is one of the traits that I love about him the most.
Otumfuo, my love, I promise to continue to be your backbone to stand with you in good times and in difficult times.
I reaffirm the vow that I made to you when we first married that I will be your peace and your sanctuary. And I promise that the next 25 years will be filled with the goodness and love we have shared thus far. I pray the good Lord bless you, magnify you and may he continue to provide you with the discerning wisdom with which you have ruled.
Otumfuo, happy birthday. Congratulations on your 25th anniversary and here's to many, many more birthdays and celebrations. Thank you.
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