London, August 2nd 2024
The UK will this weekend play host to the Silver Jubilee celebrations of His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, King of the Asante.
The landmark festivities will feature two significant events, a glittering Royal Gala Dinner held at the Peninsula Hotel in Knightsbridge, London and the centuries-old Akwasidae Festival.
Dignitaries and VIPs from across the political, cultural, and media spheres will gather to honour Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, who ascended to the Golden Stool of the Ashanti Kingdom in 1999. The celebrations will culminate on Sunday at the Akwasidae Festival, a cultural event of immense historical, social, and religious significance.
Manhyia Palace said: “The UK is home to many Ghanaians in the diaspora, so it was only right that we come here to celebrate the Asantehene’s Silver Jubilee with them.”
During his visit to the UK, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II spent time with King Charles III, his personal friend. The Asantehene was a guest at King Charles’s Sandringham House, in Norfolk, and also attended the King’s coronation last year.
The Akwasidae Festival will take place in the City of London. The name is derived from two Ashanti-Twi words: “Akwasi” or “Kwasi” (a name given to a male child born on a Sunday) and “Adae” (meaning a calendar or sleeping/resting place). Akwasidae therefore signifies a special Sunday set aside by the Asante people for special prayer or mass.
The prestigious dinner is being organised by the Asante Investment Trust (AIT) through GUBA Enterprise and Africa Help UK.
The AIT is mandated by the Asantehene to strategically focus more on organising and marshalling the assets of the Kingdom for the collective benefit of the Kingdom, its people, the people of Ghana through the creation of various business entities aimed at conducting diverse forms of business to create employment, opportunities and wealth.
GUBA Enterprise is a leading social enterprise dedicated to advancing the interests of Africans in the diaspora and on the continent through various socio-economic programs and initiatives.
Lady Dentaa Amoateng, MBE, President and CEO of GUBA Enterprise, said: “We are deeply honoured and proud to have organised the Royal Gala Dinner in celebration of His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II’s Silver Jubilee. This event is a testament to the strong ties between the Ghanaian diaspora and our heritage. It is a privilege to celebrate such a monumental occasion and to honour a leader who has made significant contributions to our culture and community.”
For further information, please contact:
Eva Simpson
Director: ESPR
E: eva.simpson@es-pr.co.uk/launch@es-pr.co.uk
T: +447801184016
About the Asante Investment Trust (AIT):
The Asante Investment Trust (AIT) is mandated by the Asantehene to strategically focus more on organising and marshalling the assets of the Kingdom for the collective benefit of the Kingdom, its people, the people of Ghana through the creation of various business entities aimed at conducting diverse forms of business to create employment, opportunities and wealth.
About GUBA Enterprise:
GUBA Enterprise is a social enterprise organisation committed to the advancement of diaspora Africans and Africans back home through various socio-economic programs and initiatives.
Note to Editors: Photos and additional information are available upon request.
Manhyia Palace the seat of the Asantehene, the Monarch of the Ashanti Kingdom, as well as his official residence. Located in Kumasi, the capital of Ashanti Region.
Please find a link to the His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II’s biography here.
Please find more information about the Akwasidae Festival here.
Please find a photograph of His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II here.
Event schedules:
VIP Royal Gala Dinner
Date and Time: Friday, August 2nd. Red Carpet arrivals 7 PM
Venue: The Peninsula Hotel, 1 Grosvenor Pl, London SW1X 7HJ
Akwasidae Festival
Date and Time: Sunday, August 4th, 11am-4pm
Venue: Middle Temple, Middle Temple Ln, Temple, London EC4Y 9BT