Book On Asantehene Launched In London

The Deputy High Commissioner of Ghana, Mr Kwabena Baah-Duodu has launched a book entitled “Otumfuo Osei Tutu 11, King of Gold” at an impressive and well-attended ceremony in London.

Mr. K. Baah-Duodu described it as an significant addition to Ghanaian literature and called on the academia to take up the challenge of revamping the book industry in Ghana by writing books for use by schools and for the reading public.

He praised the mastery and storytelling skills exhibited by the author and urged Ghanaians to cultivate the culture of reading to enable Ghanaian authors to make a decent living in their chosen field of endeavour.

“We must support such enterprising young authors to write more books because this would not only facilitate the expansion of the literary sector in Ghana but would also enhance the development of the country as a whole,” he added.

The book gives a comprehensive account of the life of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene. It also delves into Asante heritage, the use of Asante power and the commencement of the Ashanti Kingdom and the political religious and social significance of the Golden Stool.

The first twenty copies of the book were auctioned and autographed by the author of the book, Abyna-Ansaa Adjei, a product of the Book Industry Department College of Arts, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology, Kumasi. The first copy of the book fetched C1.3m.

Among dignitaries present at the launch were Mr. K.T. Hammond, Deputy Minster for Energy; Nii Ayitey Boafo, Special Aide to the President; Mr. Asamoah Boateng, National Co-ordinator of the Homecoming Secretariat; Nana Otuo Acheampong, Publisher of Ghana Review International; Rev Mark Adu-Gyamfi, Chairman of the Homecoming Committee, UK & Ireland Branch, Dr. Kwadzo Osei, a Lecturer at the London School of Oriental and African Studies as well as a cross section of Ghanaians and friends of Ghana in the UK

Reviewing the book, Dr. Kwadzo Osei said "the book encapsulates in a contemporary style, the rich heritage and legends of one of the most powerful and famous kingdoms south of the Sahara and amplifies the belief that an indigenous and democratic system of governance existed in Ghana prior to the advent of the Europeans".

Dr. Kwadzo Osei observed that "the book also uncovers the deeper histories that lie behind several of the myths and legends of the Asante culture and the Asante people" and stressed "that these myths not only prove to be real but epitomise their contemporary relevance".

According to Dr. Osei, “Otumfuo Osei-Tutu II: King of Gold” in this sense made obvious the inter-connections between religion and culture. Insight is provided into the Adae festivals, religious rites and ceremonies and their centrality to the institutions of Ashanti chieftaincy”

He said another fascinating feature of the book was that "it interweaves a broader social-economic and political history with discussions about the everyday life of the Ashanti people explicitly handled in a humorous manner".

Concluding Dr. Kwadzo stressed that “ while providing acute insights into tradition and cultural practice, the book simultaneously relates some of the processes by which past Asante Kings such as Prempeh II experienced British colonialism and modernity “

A book that engages so passionately with these aspects of the Ghanaian experience cannot but be an important statement in today’s globalised world, a world that many of us now increasingly conceive of as a little globalised village", he added.