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0 Six new symbols have been added to the few curated Adinkra symbols to celebrate the esteemed and dignified leadership of Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
Prominent amongst them is the “Otumfuo Nsa” – to wit – “The Hand of Otumfuo”. This is a two parallel hand design, representing inclusivity and harmony between Asante culture and other cultures, both within and beyond Ghana.
It signifies the Asantehene’s firm grasp of cultural heritage, stewardship of cultural heritage and visionary leadership and guidance.
The new additions were crafted by Aliska Business Advisory and Research – an indigenous financial advisory firm located in Accra and presented to the Asantehene during the fifth Awukudae festival on Wednesday June 18, 2025.
Officials from the institution revealed the development of these symbols was preceded by extensive research which spun three-and-a-half years with special focus on the Asantehene’s contributions.
It highlighted the preservation and promotion of the Asante Arts, Culture, Tradition and Heritage.
“Through our research, it came up that it’s advisable we get new authentic words to represent these new designs to set a tone that in the event when there are new words in academia, medicine, and arts, the council can come up with new words to match it,” the officials noted.
Otumfuo welcomed the inventions while recalling how his symbolic hand gesture during his enstoolment was an enigma for many traditional authorities and had been accurately interpreted by the institution.
“Twenty-six years ago, when I was going to Pampaso, I symbolically put my hands together, but many chiefs didn’t understand. I was in Apakankro. My grandchildren understand it, but many of the chiefs couldn’t understand it at the time.”
The remaining symbols will be named with the guidance of the Manhyia Palace.
These included two parallel hands, one pointing upwards and the other downwards, reflecting the Asantehene’s embrace and alliance with different cultures from the North and southern Ghana.
Another one shaped in a bulging eye, symbolized the intelligence of the King from which governments from Ghana and beyond emulate.
The fourth symbol highlights the role Asantehene plays in providing counsel on the utilization of the country’s natural resources.
The fifth, which is a staff, represents the Asantehene’s impact on sustainable national development. It has the crest of Manhyia and the Golden Stool.
The final symbol highlights the King’s significant contributions to advancing research and education.
The Asantehene further highlighted that he intends to gift the King of Eswatini with some of these symbols during his visit to the Manhyia Palace next week.
