History, faith and royalty converged at the Manhyia Palace as the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dame Sarah Mullaly, paid a landmark visit to the seat of the Asante Kingdom to strengthen the longstanding relationship between the Anglican Church and Asanteman.
The visit highlighted the centuries-old bond between the Anglican Communion and the Asante Kingdom, as Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II called for prayers, honesty and faithfulness to help restore stability to what he described as a world in a “confused state.”
Dame Sarah Mullaly is on a 10-day visit to the Church of the Province of West Africa, beginning her tour of the sub-region in Ghana.
Accompanied by a delegation from England, she paid a courtesy call on the Asantehemaa and the Asantehene at the Manhyia Palace.
The visit also celebrated the historical relationship between the Anglican Church and the Asante Kingdom, which dates back to the reign of Nana Agyeman Prempeh I. The Asante monarch embraced the Anglican faith during his exile in the Seychelles and returned to Ghana in 1904 after being baptised.
His conversion strengthened the ties between the Asante royal family and the Anglican Communion, making it one of the principal Christian denominations associated with the Ashanti royal household.
Addressing the gathering, Dame Sarah Mullaly underscored the important role Asanteman has played in the history of the Anglican Church and called for deeper collaboration between the Church and the Kingdom.
“We are working in partnership with the Asante people, and it is so important for the Anglican Church—respecting each other and recognising that each of us is created in the image of God,” she said.
During her visit, the Archbishop toured the Manhyia Museum, where she learnt about the history, traditions and customs of the Asante people, as well as the legacy of their kings and queens.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II reaffirmed the support of the Anglican Diocese in Ghana for her leadership and expressed optimism that her tenure would strengthen the Anglican Communion.
“The old world is in a confused state now. It is only prayer and also being honest and faithful to each other that can help. We pray that in your tenure the Anglican Church will grow. You taking up this office gives us the assurance that you will steer the ship, make it more stable and calm the waters,” the Asantehene said.
A Eucharistic service was later held at the palace, during which prayers were offered for the Asantehene and his continued reign.
The visit concluded with a banquet hosted by the King in honour of the Archbishop and her delegation.
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