Asantehene and Graphic exclusively with "one day in his life"

General News of Saturday, April 20, 2019

Source: Graphic.com.gh

2019-04-20

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II led a two-person team from the Graphic Online / Daily Graphic group in the beautiful gardens of Manhyia Palace on Saturday, April 13, 2019, in the beautiful interior of his residence, inside the palace, for discuss his reign.

For about an hour, the king tackled a wide range of issues, including chieftaincy, politics, conflict, governance, and daily life.

A day in his life

The position of Asantehene involves enormous responsibilities and, according to Otumfuo Osei Tutu, not a single day is a "free day".

Otumfuo Osei Tutu explained that his status as Asantehene did not allow him to do anything that interested him, explaining that his culture was central to everything he did.

Its planned movements and activities are strictly regulated and very little time is devoted to personal problems.

This is done to make sure that Asantehene does not stand out.

So, to complete the program of the day, Asantehene must adhere to proven cultural protocols and labels. It starts as soon as he takes a bath.

His routine varies and all activities of the day have times.

Gyase dictates

Responding to a question from the Graphic Online / Daily Graphic team about choosing her business, Asantehene stated that her daily routine started in the morning and that it was determined by the Gyase Division and sometimes by the Akyeame (linguists).

Gyase is a Twi word that means cooking. In the court of Asantehene, Gyase's division is closest to the king and is responsible for his well-being.

"From morning to night, every activity I practice must be sanctioned by the Gyase.

"So my day is devoted to culture, and rightly so because we are talking about Asantehene who is the embodiment of Asante culture," he said.

Visitors wishing to make an appointment with Asantehene forward their requests through Gyasehene, which controls and supervises all visits.

"Once the bath is over, the Gyase will tell me what I am going to do for the day.It can act of case resolution, oath of leaders, meetings, courtesy calls or 39 other questions, "he said.

These activities could travel up to 15h. and sometimes 17h

But it will not be all for the day. In the evening, he looks after other people who can come to him with various problems to solicit his help.

"Politicians, business people not only from Ghana but also from around the world, leaders and others come to me for advice and support on many issues, and I make sure I take into account all the world.

"Yes, I'm Asantehene, but I'm doing business in other areas outside my traditional jurisdiction because I want to see Ghana grow," said Asantehene.

Rites

Then comes the plethora of ceremonial rites he must perform almost daily.

On Tuesdays, he has to go to the house of the stools to "give food" to the stools.

On Wednesday, Asantehene attends appointments with institutions / organizations and people. In the evening, he stated that he had examined land issues, particularly those relating to leases.

Otumfuo unveils a plaque for the inauguration of Rattray Park in Kumasi

Thursdays and Fridays are also devoted to meetings with its leaders.

"The only day that I have a little time to take care of my family is Saturday, but even then, people sometimes come to my house for various reasons," he said. he declares.

He can not wear any costume for any official function. His wardrobe is strictly controlled by Gyasehene.

Mpaboahene of Asantehene determines the type of Ahenema (native sandals) that the king wears for his official duties.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu said that he also took the time to look after his courtiers and more than 300 Nhenkwaa (palace badistants).

As he stated, "the Ahenkwaa play a key role in the palace and I appreciate that, so I am attentive to their needs and give them all the respect they are subject to here" .

Sacrilege

Otumfuo Osei Tutu said it was a sacrilege to see him follow his own path to do what he wanted.

"The position of Asantehene is a sacred position and you can not go against the precepts of the golden stool," he said.

According to him, he tried to prevent him from playing golf, a sport he loved so much and kept him in shape.

"It's only in golf that I go out and play with friends," he said.

And even when he goes out to play, he is accompanied by security guards.

Service to humanity

Otumfuo Osei Tutu said the leadership was aimed at service and truthfulness sustained by humility.

"This is what I have committed to doing every day for the past 20 years and I would like to continue doing so," he said.

Although he sits on the golden stool, which is overflowing with glory, he does not understand how this glory could defeat the crucial point of rendering the kind of service that would improve people's standard of living.