Asantehene to Honour Indian Prime Minister Modi’s Invitation for State Visit

The King of the Asante Kingdom, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has expressed his willingness to honour the invitation for a state visit to India.

His Majesty has received two separate invitations in the past, with the recent one coming in July, personally from His Excellency Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India.

The King could not honour them; however, His Majesty has now expressed interest.

The interest follows the appointment of Professor Kwasi Obiri-Danso, a former Vice Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), as Ghana’s High Commissioner to India.

This was during a send-off party organised for the appointee on October 5, 2025, by King at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi.

“I will go there during his tenure. I have got two previous invitations to go to India that I couldn’t honour. The High Commissioner sent one, and the Prime Minister talked about it when he was here. I have given him my word that with him going there, I will definitely be there. I will choose the right time.”

Don’t Let Me Down
Otumfuo, who is the Chancellor of the KNUST in his speech reminded Prof Obiri Danso of the enormity of the benefits the University and Ghana stand to get from the Asian country by leveraging his new role, particularly in the technological sector.

“I have given him an assignment. I said, Kwasi, you know the state of the university as you go. India has technology, please make sure my university benefits. Make sure that Kumasi benefits, and make sure that Ghana benefits.

“That is the charge on him. He has talked to me previously about things the University can benefit from India, and Ghana can also benefit from India. I know that he is not going to let me down and Ghana down.”

The King, therefore, challenged him to live up to the expectations as he prayed for his success.

“It’s a charge I’ve given you. Prove to me that being appointed as the High Commissioner to India will be beneficial.”

Honour
The Asantehene hosted the event attended by past and present VCs and Provosts, purposely to honour the appointee for his contribution towards the development of the country.

His Majesty expressed his readiness to honour each one of them when the opportunity arises.

“He was a good Vice Chancellor. I’m doing this for him because I have the greatest respect for my Vice Chancellors.”

“It’s a pleasure to see that I have so many professors. I realise that I am blessed to have these people who are holding my university together. All that you {past VCs and Provosts} have done to make this university one of the best universities in Ghana and Africa, I thank you. If I have any opportunity, I will honour you like I’m honouring him {Prof Obiri Danso}.”

Present at the event was the Ga Mantse, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II and his wife.

Story by Hajara Fuseini