Otumfuo Thrills Nana, Kufuor With Gunshots

THE ASANTEHENE, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has demonstrated to leading political leaders in the country that he is indeed the brave leader of Asanteman. 

This was when the Asante King thrilled top dignitaries, including President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Vice President Dr. Bawumia, and former President John Agyekum Kufuor to the firing of series of gunshots in a thick forest behind the Manhyia Palace.

Otumfuo, who was wearing the famous ‘Batakari Kesee’, a sacred war cloth for Asante Kings, fired the shots with a gun, which is said to be about 400 years old, on the fourth-day of the grand funeral rites of the late Asantehemaa, Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem II.

The Asantehene, whose face was partly covered by the ‘Batakari Kesee’, then started to dance to some Fontrom tunes, attracting wild shouts and applause.

The shooting, according to people who have studied Asante history, is to show that Asanteman had lost an important person so they were in mourning.

They said it was also to show that Otumfuo, as leader of the Asante Kingdom, would never turn his back on his people in case there is a war.

The Ashanti king was later on carried in the palanquin to the Manhyia Palace, where he changed into a ‘Kobini’ cloth and received condolence messages from mourners.

President Nana Akufo-Addo and vice president, Dr. Alhaji Mahamadu Bawumia and former President Kufuor were given the opportunity to pay homage to the king.

By: Kwadwo Essel/ thePublisher