Otumfuo Thrills Audience With Golden Stool Story
IT IS an established fact that, even though the sacred Golden Stool is the spirit and soul of the Asante Kingdom, which dates back to about four centuries, hardly do we see a sitting occupant of the stool, the Asantehene, talking about the sacred object in public.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, during his 19-year reign as Asantehene, had given various public lectures on several topics, but he hardly talked about the Golden Stool in public.
It was therefore major news in town when the Asante King decided to talk about the Golden Stool in faraway Malta, where he had visited with a large entourage.
The occasion was the 5th Forum of the Mediterranean Tourism Foundation, being held in Malta, with the Asante Monarch as a special guest.
Golden Stool Story
Otumfuo told the gathering about how the sacred stool was conjured from the skies by a powerful fetish priest, Okomfo Anokye, about 400 years ago.
He added that the stool had since held the Asante Kingdom, which initially covered some lands outside modern day Ghana, firmly together.
The King, who addressed his captivating-audience in eloquent English language, also highlighted on how the stool helped Asantes to unite to win wars.
“Historically, the Asante Kingdom was founded sometime in the 17th century and rose to become one of the richest, famous and powerful kingdoms.
“My great grand uncle, Opemsuo Osei Tutu, founded the Ashanti Kingdom with help from his friend, the renowned fetish priest, Okomfo Anokye. He succeeded in unifying a number of independent paramount chiefs in the neighbouring states under his leadership.
“According to oral tradition, once at a gathering of all the chiefs, a Golden Stool descended from the skies unto the lap of Opemsuo, Osei Tutu.
“To the chiefs, this was a clear indication that the gods and ancestors had endorsed Opemsuo Osei Tutu to lead them, with the Golden Stool as his source of authority.
“Convinced by the incident, the paramount chiefs swore an oath of allegiance to Opemsuo Osei Tutu and enstooled him as their king and occupant of the Golden Stool”, he said.
Otumfo, who seemed to have thrilled the audience with the story, continued: “Till today, the Golden Stool remains the unifying symbol and spirit of the Ashanti nation. Indeed, to gain legitimacy, all paramount chiefs in the kingdom swear an oath of allegiance to the King, the occupant of the Golden Stool”.
According to him, he had, since his ascension to the Golden Stool, followed the path of his predecessors by providing unique leadership that has made the kingdom stronger.
The Asantehene spoke on a wide range of other pressing issues, including tourism and business opportunities in Ghana, and was given a standing ovation after his delivery.
Among the audience of the Asante Monarch were the President of Malta, Her Excellency, Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, and other top government officials in Malta.
By: Afia Sarpong Amankwa/ thePublisher
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