Meet the 16 kings who have ruled the Asante Kingdom

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, is marking his 76th birthday this year, which coincides with the 27th anniversary of his enthronement as the king of Asanteman.

Enstooled on April 26, 1999, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, who was born Nana Kwaku Duah, is the 16th occupant of the Golden Stool, which represents the unity and soul of the Asante people.

The Asante Kingdom, established in the 1670s, has had 16 kings to date.

Below is the list of Asante kings and the duration of their reigns:

Otumfuo Osei Tutu I, who was born Osei Kofi and is regarded as the founder of the Asante Empire, was the leader of Asanteman from 1670 to 1717.

After Otumfuo Osei Tutu I came Opoku Ware I, who reigned from 1720 to 1750.

Then came Kusi Obodum, who was Asantehene from 1750 to 1764. Kusi Obodum was forced to abdicate.

After Otumfuo Kusi Obodum was Osei Kwadwo Okoawia, who was Asantehene from 1764 to 1777.

Otumfuo Osei Kwadwo was followed by Osei Kwame Panyin, who reigned from 1777 to 1803.

Opoku Fofie became the Asantehene in 1803 and reigned until 1804.

Osei Bonsu took over from Opoku Fofie and was the king of Asanteman from 1804 to 1824.

Then came Osei Yaw Akoto, who ruled from 1824 to 1834.

Kwaku Duah I followed Yaw Akoto and reigned from 1834 to 1867.

Kofi Karikari, who ruled from 1867 to 1874, succeeded Asantehene Kwaku Duah I.

After Kofi Karikari was Mensah Bonsu, who ruled from 1874 to 1883, when he was forced to abdicate.

Kwaku Duah II was the Asantehene in 1884. He died after a short illness.

Prempeh I became the Asantehene after the Asante Civil War in 1888 and ruled from 1888 to 1931.

After Otumfuo Prempeh I came Osei Tutu Agyeman Prempeh II, who reigned from 1931 to 1970.

Opoku Ware II succeeded Prempeh II as Asantehene, serving from 1970 to 1999.

The current Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, who was born Nana Kwaku Duah, succeeded Opoku Ware II in 1999.

From Kusi Amoa to Konadu Yiadom III: List of all Asantehemaas since the creation of the Asante Kingdom

His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, graciously hosted the inaugural Otumfuo Art Award ceremony on Friday, May 23, 2015, at the Manhyia Palace Jubilee Hall. The initiative was organized by the Manhyia Palace Museum in partnership with the UNESCO Representative in Accra. pic.twitter.com/2anokif4sv

— The Asante Nation (@Asante_nation) May 24, 2025

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