Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has once again demonstrated his commitment to preserving Asante heritage by declining a proposal to name the Kumasi International Airport after him.
Instead, the Asantehene advocated for the airport to bear the name of Sir Agyeman Prempeh I, the 13th King of the Asante Kingdom, in recognition of his immense sacrifice and contributions to Asanteman.
The suggestion to name the airport after Otumfuo arose during the celebration of his Silver Jubilee, as a gesture to honor his transformative leadership. However, the Asantehene firmly opposed the idea. During a visit by the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) on November 20, 2024, he explained his decision.
“There is a British house at the airport where Nana used to take some rest when he was on leave. This was after he returned from exile. You decided to put my name on the airport, but I opposed to preserve the contribution of Nana to Asanteman,” Otumfuo recounted.
Otumfuo’s advocacy ultimately led to the facility being named Prempeh I International Airport, a tribute to the monarch who endured nearly 25 years of exile to protect Asanteman during the colonial era. The airport was officially commissioned in May 2024.
In addition to renaming the airport, Otumfuo announced plans to repurpose Prempeh I’s rest house, located near the airport, into a museum. The project will include preserving the late King’s original furniture and artifacts to honor his memory and educate future generations about his sacrifices.
“I have told the Minister I will be working on the house to prepare it as a Museum. All his furniture in there will be kept to save his memory,” Otumfuo disclosed.
The decision reflects Otumfuo Osei Tutu II’s dedication to ensuring the legacy of his predecessors remains a cornerstone of Asante history.
His actions highlight the importance of prioritizing collective heritage over personal accolades, reinforcing his role as a custodian of Asante culture.
Source: www.kumasimail.com /IJB
Source: www.kumasimail.com
