Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has departed Kumasi for official visits to Poland and Canada amid renewed international engagements involving the Asante Kingdom.

The revered monarch left Ghana on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, according to a Facebook post sighted by GhanaWeb.

Details of the trip were first disclosed during an emergency meeting of the Asanteman Council held at the Manhyia Palace on Monday, May 25.



According to information presented at the meeting, "the Asantehene will begin the official visit in Poland before proceeding to Canada as part of efforts aimed at strengthening cultural, diplomatic, educational, and developmental partnerships between Asanteman and international stakeholders."

Although full details of the engagements have not yet been made public, Otumfuo’s foreign visits have traditionally involved high-level meetings with government officials, investors, traditional institutions, academic bodies, development partners, and members of the Ghanaian diaspora.



Over the years, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has built a "strong global reputation" through his advocacy for education, peacebuilding, healthcare, cultural diplomacy, and investment promotion.

His international trips have also become important platforms for "attracting partnerships and support for development initiatives" across the Ashanti Region and other parts of Ghana.



Meanwhile, the monarch’s departure has triggered temporary administrative changes within the Asante traditional setup in line with long-established customs governing Asanteman.

During the Asantehene’s absence, the occupant of the Silver Stool and Mamponghene, Daasebre Osei Bonsu II, has been tasked with overseeing the affairs of Asanteman.



The Mamponghene traditionally serves as second-in-command within the Asante traditional hierarchy and assumes delegated authority whenever the Asantehene is unavailable or outside the kingdom.

Administrative oversight of Kumasi has also been handed to the Nkwantakesehene, Nana Boadakye Yaw Ababio, during the period of the Asantehene’s absence.



NAD/JE