The Countdown begins

Its Wednesday 17th March 1999 and the countdown begins for the commencement of activities marking the short-long journey to Breman for Otumfuo Opoku Ware II, the 15th occupant of the Golden Stool.

As GRi's Managing Editor - Frank Agyekum - reports from Manhyia: "Otumfuo embarks on his final journey to meet his ancestors at Breman at 'dead night' when there is pitch darkness. Nobody sees those who carry him and woe betides any mortal who crosses their path on this last leg of his journey".

The fetish priests of the Palace commence their recitals in Kumasi today.

And GRi also marks the countdown to the publication of a special edition in commemoration of Otumfuo.

In the special 52-page edition, which hits the news stands on Sunday 21st March, prominent writers trace the life and times of Otumfuo from birth to the last journey.

Frank Agyekum reports with "Reflections from Kumasi" and concludes:

When it comes to upholding traditional values, the Asantes are a people one would like to love and hate. The incident with the media would only seem to rededicate this mighty Kingdom, now torn between modernity and tradition, to the later.

Dr Charles Wereko-Brobby in Ghana, and Lawrence Akwasi Agyeman Prempeh in U.S.A., grandson of King Prempeh I, and one-time Private Secretary and Chief of Staff to Otumfuo Opoku Ware II, pay personal tributes to the life and times of a Monarch.

GRi provides a complete Family Tree for the Royal Household tracing Otumfuo's ancestry to Nana Manu from whom the 15 occupants of the Golden Stool have descended.

Professor Ivor Wilks, the Herskovits Professor Emeritus of African History, Northwestern University, author of Asante In The Nineteenth Century, and other numerous publications on Asante, gives a bird's eye view of Asante history.

Dr. Kofi Ellison supplements with a broader overview of Asante history and also reminsces on Nana Sir Osei Agyemang Prempeh II, the 14th occupant of the Golden Stool.

Ivor Agyeman-Duah, journalist and writer on cultural affairs, currently a Research Fellow at the W.E.B. Du Bois Institute for Afro-American Research, Harvard University, examines the politics of succession in Asante since the 1800s while paying tribute to the late Otumfuo Opoku Ware II.

And from our files (GRi no 23) Nana Otuo Acheampong, Adontenhene of Morso/Ashanti and Editor-in- Chief of GRi, reminisces on the life and times of the wife of Otumfuo Opoku Ware II, the Asantehene, who died on Independence Day, 6 March 1996. He also gives a brief insight into some of the intricacies of Asante customs and norms.

The special edition also incorporates the regular features of GRi including Politics, Business, Sports, Religion and the week that was, including what Daddy Lumba has to say about Aben wo ha.