Durbar held in honour of Prince Edward at Manhyia
TheManhyia Palace, the seat of the Golden Stool, Ashanti, Kumasi has held acolourful durbar of chiefs and the people of Asanteman to warmly welcome theEarl of Wessex, Prince Edward to Kumasi.
The Asantehene,Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, sat in state to welcome Prince Edward at the durbar whichshowcased the richness of Asante's cultural heritage.
PrinceEdward is the youngest child of Her Majesty, the Queen and His Royal Highness,the Duke of Edinburgh.
His visitto the Manhyia Palace formed part of his three-day official visit to Ghana andwas in recognition of the long historic relationship between the Asante Kingdomand the British Monarch.
Lord Paul Boateng,the Ghanaian born British who was a member of Prince Edward's delegation saidthe Prince and his delegation was in Ghana to witness the presentation of Headof States Awards (HoSA) to distinguished Ghanaian students for their commitmentto the cause of humanity.
The Head ofState Awards(HoSA), formerly known as the Duke of Edinburgh Awards, launched 60years ago had motivated millions of young people to transform their lives.
LordBoateng said Prince Edward's visit to Ghana would not have been complete had henot visited Manhyia Palace.
He commendedthe Asantehene for his immense contribution especially in the field ofeducation which had helped transformed education in Ghana.
In aspeech read on his behalf by the Juabenhene, OtuoSerebuo, the Asantehene saidPrince Edwardâ??s visit demonstrated the strong bond of friendship that existedbetween Manhyia and Buckingham Palace.
He saidthe Otumfuo Education Fund, set up to support brilliant but needy childrencould partner the Duke of Edinburgh Awards to help promote education across theglobe.
Amongthe dignitaries present at the durbar were Hon. Edwin Nii Lantey Vanderpuye, theMinister of Youth and Sports, the Ashanti Regional Minister, Hon.Alexander JohnAckon, Kumasi Mayor, Hon. Kojo Bonsu and the British High Commissioner to Ghana,His Excellency John Benjamin.
Alsopresent were Mr. Henry Morgan Minski, HoSA Board chair, Mr. Edwin Kimani, DofEAfrica Regional Director, Mr. Peter A. Anum, HoSA Executive Director and Dr.Mustapha Ahmed, former Minister of Youth and Sports.