Ashanti King brings carnival atmosphere to State House |24 April 2015

It was a rare scene at State House yesterday morning as the delegation accompanying the King of Ashanti, His Royal Higness King Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, brought a mixture of carnival atmosphere and African culture to a place usually reserved for top official ceremonies and presidential meetings.

Ashanti is the third largest administrative region of Ghana, and as one of King Otumfuo’s predessors King Prempeh was exiled here by the British colonial power from to 1896 to 1926, it was like history repeating itself though in a much more pleasant way.

Leading a delegation to the fifth Carnaval International de Victoria, King Otumfuo was paying a courtesy call on President James Michel. Dressed in their traditional attire, his lively entourage accompanied him with the pleasant sound of their horns as he walked in and out of the presidential office.

Surely a mouth-watering avant-goût of the rich West African culture they will showcase in the streets of Victoria tomorrow afternoon!
Guest of honour at the carnival, King Otumfuo was accompanied at State House by the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts of Ghana, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare.

The king expressed his pleasure of visiting Seychelles and commended the beauty of the country and its people. He said the visit will be a chance for him to learn more about the exile of King Prempeh I, his great-uncle, when he was exiled in Seychelles.

The king also said he wishes to see cooperation between Ghana and Seychelles being developed in many areas.
He presented President Michel with a traditional royal robe, which he accepted and wore in honour of their first meeting.

President Michel welcomed the king on his first visit to Seychelles and noted that Seychelles and Ghana share a unique relationship and a great history.

“We reiterate our commitment to preserve this strong historical link and rich heritage we share. The Carnaval International de Victoria provides us with an opportunity to showcase the many parallels in our culture and history as well as our ambitions to continue forging together our development agenda for the benefit of our people,” said President Michel.

Present for the visit were the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Transport, Joël Morgan, the Minister for Tourism and Culture, Alain St Ange, and the President’s Diplomatic Advisor, Ambassador Callixte D’Offay.