E ON 3 Group and its key partners have announced the ‘World-Meets-in-Ghana Executive Dinner Ball’ to celebrate the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, as a Pillar of Peace on the occasion of his 27th coronation anniversary.
The event is intended to honour and highlight Otumfuo’s distinguished legacy in promoting peace, diplomacy, cultural exchange and economic development in Ghana and beyond.
In a statement issued yesterday, E ON 3 Group said it was organising the landmark celebration in collaboration with the Manhyia Palace, KGL Group and the Diaspora Affairs Office of the Office of the President.
The statement mentioned other partners, including the Commonwealth Secretariat, the Bank of Ghana (BoG), the Multi Bank Group-Dubai, the African Gold Market Association, Typhoon Greenfield, and Ghana Link.
The rest are Devprag Tokenization LLC — Dubai, Stratcon Energy, Ghana Gold Board, Gold Coast Refinery, Dawark Gold Refinery, Caveman, Popo-Global Investment, Access Bank Ghana PLC, Emirates Gold–DMCC, and Touch of Bronze.
To be held on the theme, “Advancing Peace and Sustainable Economic Development Through Royal Vision,” the event will take place at the Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Jubilee Hall at the Manhyia Palace, Kumasi, on Friday, April 24, this year.
The Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, will be the Special Guest of Honour. Other guests of honour are the Olu of Warri Kingdom of Nigeria, Ogiame-Atuwatse III, and the Queen Consort of the Kingdom, Olori Atuwatse III.
The event will bring together global leaders, members of the diplomatic community, government officials, business leaders, traditional authorities and members of the African diaspora.
In addition, the event will provide an opportunity for world leaders, Ghanaians, the African diaspora and the global community to own a piece of the Otumfuo Commemorative Gold Coin and the Gold Medal, minted in honour of the Asantehene’s contributions to peace and national stability.
Background
Since ascending the Golden Stool in 1999, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has extended his influence beyond Ghana through leadership that combines traditional authority with modern diplomacy, peacebuilding and cultural preservation.
Chieftaincy, land disputes, arbitration
Otumfuo has successfully mediated numerous stool/chieftaincy disputes across Asanteman, many of which had remained unresolved for years.
Among them was the Effiduase stool dispute, which had lasted for 23 years before being resolved after seven sittings under his mediation; the Tepa stool dispute, which had lingered for 13 years, was resolved in five sittings, while the Adonten stool dispute, also spanning 13 years, was settled after 11 sittings.
Other resolved chieftaincy disputes include those of Tafo, Bechem, Bekwai, Kokofu, Agona and Kumawu.
These, together with numerous land disputes that were resolved, his leadership style and other key socioeconomic initiatives he introduced, including the widely acclaimed Otumfuo Education Fund, earned him the title “King Solomon.”
The then Chief Justice, Justice Kwasi Anin-Yeboah, when receiving the gold coin, noted that Otumfuo’s interventions in such disputes had significantly reduced the burden on the courts.
Mediating political tensions
Otumfuo has also played a key role in supporting peaceful political transitions in Ghana.
His Royal Majesty Ogiame -Atuwatse III, the Olu of Warri Kingdom, Nigeria, and Her Royal Highness Olori Atuwatse III, the Queen Consort of the Warri Kingdom
In 2012, he convened all presidential candidates in Kumasi, where they committed themselves to peaceful elections by signing a peace pact known as the Kumasi Declaration.
He also facilitated a quiet diplomatic engagement that helped ease tensions surrounding the 2016 general election, contributing to a peaceful political transition.
International arena
In 2019, Otumfuo addressed the United Nations High-Level Forum on the Culture of Peace, speaking on the topic, “Partnership for a Culture of Peace: Mobilising Traditional Leadership and Communities for Peace and Security.” His address received global commendation.
That same year, he received the “Pillar of Peace” award at the inaugural African Premier Leadership Awards, partly in recognition of his role in restoring peace in Dagbon after years of mediation.
Otumfuo Commemorative Gold Coin
In recognition of his contributions to peace, the BoG gave approval to E ON 3 Group, an investment and business solution company, to mint a 24-karat Otumfuo Commemorative Gold Coin in his honour.
The coin was launched at the Manhyia Palace on December 12, 2021, with support from key partners, including Manhyia Palace, KGL Group, the then PMMC, Access Bank Ghana PLC, Gold Coast Refinery, Future Africa Foundation, GLICO and Coronation Insurance.
Since its launch, the commemorative gold coin has been presented to many distinguished personalities and institutions, besides the Asantehene.
The list of recipients includes President John Dramani Mahama, former Presidents Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and John Agyekum Kufuor; former Vice-President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia; the Executive Chairman of KGL Group, Alex Dadey; the Executive Chairman of Jonah Capital, Sir Sam Jonah; former Minister of Energy, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, as well as Ms Ayorkor Botchwey.
These personalities and many others who received the gold coin praised Otumfuo for being a high-value peacemaker, one whom Ghana will always be proud of.
Bawku Peace Initiative
Otumfuo also served as the Sole Mediator in the Bawku chieftaincy conflict, holding a number of mediation sessions with the feuding parties at Manhyia Palace before submitting his report to President John Dramani Mahama at the Jubilee House on December 16, last year.
Clearly, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II continues to stand as a symbol of peace, unity and visionary leadership, whose influence extends far beyond traditional authority.
The World-Meets-in-Ghana Executive Dinner Ball will, therefore, serve as a fitting platform for Ghana and the international community to celebrate a monarch whose leadership has helped strengthen peace, stability and development.
