Otumfuo C’ssions New Juaben Palace

There was merry-making last Sunday when the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II visited Juaben in the Ejisu-Juaben municipality in the Ashanti region to commission a state-of-the-art palace built by the King of the Juaben traditional area.
As part of activities marking 40 years of his enthronement, Nana Otuo Serebuo II invited his royal highness, the Asantehene to commission the palace he had built.
The Asantehene was accompanied by former President Kufuor, Sir Gabriel Osawuru Igbinedion, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Okada Business Empire and Esama of Benin Kingdom in Nigeria, among other dignitaries.
Having received information that the Asantehene would be gracing the occasion, residents of the town lined up along the streets early in the morning, ostensibly to catch a glimpse of the Ashanti High King.
The residents jubilated when the Asantehene and his entourage arrived at the durbar grounds.
Before the commissioning of the modern palace, a book entitled “Nana Otuo Siribuo, an Exemplar of the Modern Traditional Ruler” authored by Prof R Addo-Fenning with foreword by the Asantehene was launched.
The book, which comprises the life history of the former Council of State member, his achievements for the past 40 years and his vision ahead, was bought by people in various denominations.
Apart from the Esama of Benin Kingdom who bought a copy of the book for $25,000, ex-President Kufuor, Hon Owusu Aduomi, Member of Parliament (MP) for the area, Hon Akwasi Osei Adjei, former MP for the area bought a copy of the book for GH¢3,000 and GH¢2,000 respectively.
Other people including Hon Asamoah Boateng, former Information Minister and Hon Cecilia Abena Dapaah, former Minister of Works and Housing also bought a copy for GH¢1,000 and GH¢5,000 respectively.
The Chief Executive of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) Mr. Samuel Sarpong, who is also a native of the town also purchased a copy of the book for GH¢3,000.
In a brief speech, Nana Otuo Siribuo thanked the Asantehene and the other dignitaries for gracing the occasion, particularly the Esama of the Benin Kingdom in Nigeria.
He noted that though he has achieved a lot for his people during his 40 years of reign, he would continue to serve the people in truth and humility to ensure that the traditional area occupied its rightful place in society.
The Asantehene on his part praised Nana Otuo Siribuo for the feat chalked, and hoped that he would stay longer on the throne to deliver quality service to his people and Asanteman as a whole.
After the book launch, the Asantehene and his entourage cut the tape for the commissioning of the palace after which he led the people to inspect the palace.