His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, has returned to Kumasi after a series of high-level engagements in the United States that brought together Asante tradition, African excellence, investment, education and the Ghanaian diaspora.
The Asantehene’s aircraft touched down at the Prempeh I International Airport in Kumasi at about noon on Thursday, September 3, 2026, following his nearly two-week working visit to the United States.
He was received with a ceremonial guard of honour mounted by personnel from the Ghana Immigration Service, Ghana National Fire Service and Ghana Police Service.
Accompanied by the Guard Commander, Otumfuo inspected the guard before proceeding to meet traditional leaders, government officials, students and other well-wishers who had gathered at the airport to welcome him home.
After exchanging greetings and handshakes with some members of the gathering, the Asantehene departed the airport for a ceremonial procession through the principal streets of Kumasi towards the Manhyia Palace.
The homecoming followed an extensive programme in the United States under the Millennium Excellence Week America 2026, which brought together activities in Washington, D.C., Arlington, National Harbor and Bowie, Maryland.
The programme was organised under the patronage of Otumfuo and marked the first time the Millennium Excellence Foundation took its flagship celebration to the United States.
A week of culture, leadership and investment
Otumfuo departed Kumasi on August 23 for the U.S. visit, which was built around a programme combining cultural diplomacy, education, business and the celebration of African excellence.
One of the early highlights was the Otumfuo Golf Invitational at the Army Navy Country Club in Arlington, Virginia. The event brought together Africa-focused investors, business leaders, diplomats and members of the diaspora, providing an informal platform for networking ahead of the week’s major business engagements.
On August 25, the Asantehene delivered a Royal Guest Lecture at Howard University in Washington, D.C., marking his first speaking engagement at the historic university.
His lecture, titled “Governance, Cultural Preservation, Traditional Leadership and the Enduring Connections Between Ghana and the Global African Diaspora,” focused on the relevance of traditional leadership, the preservation of African culture and the need to deepen ties between Ghana and Africans in the diaspora.
Addressing students, faculty and invited guests, Otumfuo called for stronger connections between Ghana and the global African diaspora through education, scholarship, investment, cultural preservation, service and enterprise.
The visit also featured the Africa Business and Investment Summit at MGM National Harbor in Maryland from August 27 to 28. The summit brought together government representatives, business leaders, investors and other stakeholders to explore opportunities for investment and partnerships in Africa.
The Millennium Excellence Awards Gala followed at the Warner Theatre in Washington, D.C., on August 29. The event, held for the first time in the United States, recognised individuals whose contributions have had an impact on Africa and the global African community.
Akwasidae Kesie takes Asante tradition to Maryland
A major cultural highlight of the U.S. visit was the celebration of Akwasidae Kesie, held on Sunday, August 30, at Bowie State University in Maryland.
The celebration brought an important Asante royal tradition to the United States, allowing members of the Ghanaian and wider African diaspora to participate in a cultural ceremony traditionally associated with the Asantehene and the Golden Stool.
The event featured traditional chiefs and queen mothers, Asante cultural displays, drumming and other elements of Asante royal tradition.
Reports from the event described the gathering as a symbolic meeting of Asante heritage and the African diaspora in the United States.
The choice of Bowie State University was also significant. The university is the oldest historically Black college and university in Maryland, giving the Akwasidae celebration an added connection to African-American history and the broader heritage of people of African descent in the United States.
The Akwasidae celebration formed part of Otumfuo’s broader effort during the visit to strengthen cultural links between Asanteman, Ghana and communities in the diaspora.
Promoting investment in Ghana
Beyond cultural diplomacy, the Asantehene also used the U.S. visit to pursue economic and investment opportunities.
On August 31, Otumfuo held a high-level meeting with officials and business leaders of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C.
The discussions focused on trade, investment and potential partnerships involving Asanteman and Ghana, with particular attention to opportunities that could contribute to economic development and job creation.
The engagement underscored the growing role of traditional leadership in promoting economic diplomacy and connecting Ghanaian development priorities with international business networks.
Otumfuo and Lady Julia Osei Tutu also visited the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C., on August 31, where they toured exhibitions exploring the history and global influence of the Bible.
Kumasi welcomes the Asantehene home
Today’s reception in Kumasi brought the Asantehene’s American tour to a close.
At Prempeh I International Airport, the ceremonial guard of honour and the presence of chiefs, government officials, students and members of the public reflected the importance attached to the Asantehene’s return.
The procession from the airport through the principal streets of Kumasi towards Manhyia Palace further transformed his arrival into a public celebration, with residents lining the route to catch a glimpse of the Asantehene.
For many in Kumasi, the homecoming was not simply a return from an overseas trip but the conclusion of a diplomatic and cultural mission that placed Asante heritage, Ghanaian leadership and the country’s economic potential at the centre of engagements with institutions and communities in the United States.
The visit also reinforced Otumfuo’s continuing role in using traditional leadership as a platform for cultural preservation, international engagement, education and economic development while deepening the historical and contemporary connections between Ghana and the African diaspora.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
