ASHANTI REGION, Ghana — Mrs. Ann-Marie Davis, wife of Prime Minister Philip E. Davis, was given the Royal Red Carpet welcome by the Ashanti Traditional Council and its members when she arrived at Takoradi Airport in the Ashanti Region of Ghana on Friday, June 17, 2022
The huge welcome celebration was electrified with goat skin drumming, cultural dancing and cultural singing, and Mrs. Davis was presented with a lovely bouquet of flowers and prayers of Thanksgiving
Mrs. Davis is heading a delegation that includes her aide; Ambassador for Culture-at-Large, Jamaal Rolle; and Senior Foreign Services Officer, Kenneth Wallace-Whitfield. Also accompanying Mrs. Davis are Mr. Andrew Wilson, Michael Patemam, Christopher Davis and his wife, Tamara, and several Ghanian protocol officers and aides.
According to information gleaned from the Internet, “The Ashanti Region, in south Ghana, is the ‘Kingdom of gold’, with a legacy of fine craftsmanship and culture traditions.
“Occupying a central portion of modern Ghana, Ashanti is the hub of the ancient territory of the Asante and still the heartland for all Asante people, wherever they may be now.”
The information on the Internet adds: “A visit to Ashanti must include Kumasi, the ancient capital of the region and Ghana’s second city, founded in 1695 by the Asantehene (Osei Tutu). The scenic and hilly capital is home to the palace, museums, forts, harbours and churches that provide a historical backdrop for the festivals and ceremonies that are still held with great enthusiasm today.
“Visitors to Kumasi have an opportunity to see the area’s cultural treasures. Tourist hotspots in the city include the Kumasi Fort; the Military Museum; the beautiful 300 years old shrine at Besease; and the Manhyia Palace, where the Asante King sits in session every sixth Sunday heralded by a procession of dignitaries, with exuberant drumming and horn blowing.”
Continuing, the information on the Internet states: “Famous for gold, cocoa and cloth production, the Ashanti Region also has the largest open-air market in West Africa, at Kejetia. Tourists soon realise that haggling is an accepted part of trading in Ghana.
“Kumasi is ringed with villages famous for their artisans and handicrafts, including woodcarving and kente cloth. The traditional kente cloth is woven by men of the Ashanti tribes. The Ashanti are known for their dazzling and bright patterns, geometric shapes and bold designs interwoven in silk and cotton. Referred to by the Akans as ‘nwentoma’ (meaning ‘woven cloth’), the kente cloth originated in the Ashanti Kingdom and is still one of the region’s greatest exports.”
Here’s a link to an article published my GHANAWEB.COM on Sunday, June 19, that explains the reason for the visit to Ghana by Mrs. Ann-Marie Davis and the Bahamian delegation. https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/regional/Bahamas-Prime-Minister-s-son-to-be-installed-Safohene-in-Ahanta-West-1564352?fbclid=IwAR3-y6x6pUJC4jfAOSLKfd3-zBsp1WKgteHv75RdWEmTlRlHe1AptgzHwzI
