Revealed : Why Otumfour Didn't Use Ghana Flag At The Coronation Of King Charles

A historian explained why Otumfuo Osei Tutu II was unable to fly the Ghana flag during his recent trip to the United Kingdom, where he attended King Charles III's coronation.

Professor Sarfo Kantanka explained in an interview with Kumasi's Opensuo Radio that the Asantehene was invited in his capacity as the leader of Asanteman and not as a government representative of Ghana.

He explained that Ghana was officially represented by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, "while the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, was invited as the King of the Asante Kingdom, making it impossible to use the Ghana flag to represent the kingdom," according to a report from Opemsuo Radio.

The Otumfuo and his wife, Lady Julia, were listed on an unofficial coronation invitation that was posted on Twitter over the weekend, causing social media buzz.

While all other monarchs have the flags of their respective countries beneath their portraits, Otumfuo and Lady Julia have the Asanteman flag.

So, what was the source of the disagreement?

At the center of the debate that has since transpired is the question of why the Ghanaian flag was not used, with those demanding its use insisting that Asanteman is located within Ghana and that the Otumfuo is Ghanaian.

Those opposed to the proposal believe that the Asantehene was invited in his capacity as the ruler of the Ashanti Kingdom, which has close ties to the British monarchy.

Important information: the Asanteman flag

The Asantes (Asante Region/Kingdom) are the only people in Ghana to have an official national flag, which they refer to as the Asanteman Flag.

The flag of the Ashanti Region was adopted in 1935 by Asantehene Prempeh II, emperor of the Ashanti kingdom.

It is based on the throne of the Ashanti absolute monarchy, the Golden Stool, which has been the Ashanti symbol of unity and personality since 1701, the early eighteenth century AD, when the Ashanti Empire was founded.

The Ashanti flag is comprised of the hues yellow, black, and green.

Each element of the flag has a significance, which is detailed below.

1. The yellow portion of the flag represents Asanteman's affluence.

2. The black portion of the flag signifies the symbolic image of the Blackman in relation to the Asante Nation, as well as the nation's valor in the face of the challenges of warfare.

The color Green represents the more verdant vegetation found in the forest regions of Asanteman.

4. The symbol in the center of the flag is known as "Gyemirekutu KY" (Hat) and is composed of animal parts coated with gold-colored paintings: Elephant Tail, wam ti (Hornbill Head), The Skin Covering the Elephant Kneebone, Hornbill Feathers, Adwera (PortulacaOleracea Leaves).

In addition, the flag is elegantly positioned on the canopy emblem of the Asantehene's Rolls-Royce, which is 80 years old.