Asanteman to celebrate Akwasidae Kese on May 9

Accra, April 5, GNA - A grand durbar of chiefs, queen mothers and people of Asanteman would be held on Sunday May 9 at the Kumasi Sports Stadium to climax the celebration of the Akwasidae Kese Festival. The Adae Kese Festival provides an occasion for communion with the ancestors as well as the re-union of families. The last Adae Kese was held in 1991.

Akwasidae Kese gives the opportunity to all chiefs in the domain of the Golden Stool of Asante to renew their allegiance to the Asantehene, occupant of the Golden Stool.

This year's Akwasidae Kese is being celebrated under the theme: "Asanteman Adae Kese: Promoting Traditional Leadership For Accelerated Development." It coincides with the fifth anniversary celebration of the enstoolment of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II as the 16th King of the Asante Kingdom. Special attraction of the durbar would be the display of the Golden Stool, which is rarely displayed in the public.

A programme for the celebrations released by Yankah and Associates, Marketing Communication Consultants, said formal launching of the festival took place on March 15.

Other activities are custom and traditional purification rites at some ancestral areas; gospel music show; concert party show; drama; children's day (a Special Kyekyekule); Asantehene's party for children; photo exhibition on Asantehene's reign; cooking competition; food fair; Asante cultural exposition; indoor games; Asantehene's golf cup competition and distribution of sponsored dictionaries to selected schools.

Other events lined up are: Special Soccer Contest for Asantehene's Trophy by Kumasi Asante Kotoko, King Faisal, Obuasi Goldfields and Berekum Arsenals; Awards and Dinner Dance to award deserving personalities and an inter-denominational thanksgiving service on Sunday May 23 at Dwaberem, Manhyia to end the celebrations.