The Royal Garden City and the Shadow of Dust: A Plea to the King of Kings

​The quiet morning air of Kumasi used to carry the rich scent of blossoming hibiscus, fresh damp earth, and green leaves dancing in the West African breeze. Years ago, travelers from across the world arrived in the Ashanti kingdom not only to admire the radiant gold of its heritage, but to walk through a city so lush and pristine that history proudly named it the Garden City of West Africa. In those days, a visitor walking through the clean avenues could feel the quiet dignity of a people whose environment mirrored the majesty of their stool. To step into Kumasi was to step into a sanctuary of pride, order, and life.

​Imagine, if you will, a great mahogany tree standing in the center of a bustling village square. Its trunk is massive, its roots deep and unbreakable, providing shade and shelter to everyone who seeks refuge beneath its canopy. When the sun burns too hot, the villagers gather around its base, and when strong winds threaten to blow away the harvests, the mighty tree stands firm as an immovable shield. Yet, over time, as the years go by, the villagers begin to leave their scattered trash around the foot of this grand tree. They toss broken pots near its trunk, dump peelings upon its exposed roots, and allow weeds to strangle the soil around it. The noble mahogany tree remains as majestic and revered as ever, towering high with unwavering grace, yet the ground upon which it stands grows cluttered and tarnished by those who benefit from its shade.

​This humble parable reflects the heart of Kumasi today, and it is with deep humility and profound respect that we look toward the throne of the Golden Stool. His Royal Majesty, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, stands as that great mahogany tree—a towering symbol of wisdom, peace, and moral authority. Time and again, the nation has witnessed how even the highest political leaders of our land bow to his counsel. When former President John Dramani Mahama initially hesitated to accept the call to serve as Vice President under the late President John Evans Atta Mills, it was the wise advice of Otumfuo that guided his path toward national service. Years later, when economic challenges loomed large over the republic, it was the revered voice of the Asantehene that bridged delicate gaps to help Ghana secure a vital lifeline from the International Monetary Fund. If presidents seek his counsel and international institutions honor his intervention, it is because his authority transcends political office and rests firmly on the timeless trust of his people.

​Yet, as one walks through the vibrant markets and historic streets of Kumasi today, a quiet sorrow fills the hearts of those who remember its former glory. The once-clear gutters now struggle under the heavy burden of discarded plastics, and the sweet fragrance of blooming gardens has too often been replaced by the pungent odor of uncollected waste. Acute sanitation challenges have cast a dark shadow over the historic capital, threatening the health, pride, and beauty of the Asante nation. The people love their city, but without clear, unified direction, individual efforts remain scattered like leaves in the wind.

​It is precisely because Otumfuo commands such unmatched reverence that the eyes of the people turn back to the Manhyia Palace with hopeful hearts. Political promises come and go with the seasons, but the directive of the Golden Stool carries an enduring weight that no citizen can ignore. If His Royal Majesty were to leverage his unparalleled moral authority to issue royal directives on sanitation, establish traditional oversight mechanisms through the paramount chiefs, and champion workable community policies, the transformation would be swift and profound. When the King speaks, the people listen, and when the Asantehene moves, the entire kingdom follows with devotion.

​May the great mahogany tree continue to shade us all in health and peace, and may the humble prayers of a loving people reach the royal ear. With a single word from the throne, Kumasi can sweep away the dust of today, revive its legendary gardens, and reclaim its rightful crown as the cleanest and grandest city in the land.

The author is an Information Officer