The Overlord of the Gonja Kingdom, Yagbonwura Bii-Kunuto Jewu Soale I, on Wednesday 1st July 2026 led a high-powered delegation from Gonjaland on a courtesy call to the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi.
The visit coincided with the celebration of the Awukudae Festival, a significant event on the Ashanti traditional calendar that falls within the 42-day Adaduanan cycle.
Addressing the gathering, the Yagbonwura described the visit as a reunion of two great royal houses whose destinies have been intertwined for more than three centuries, tracing the shared “ntafor” ancestry between the Gonja and Ashanti kingdoms. He recalled how the Gonja Kingdom, founded by the legendary Ndewura Jakpa in 1675, and the Ashanti Kingdom, united by Osei Tutu I in the 18th century, both grew into powerful and influential states in the sub-region long before the modern Ghanaian state emerged.
The Gonja overlord highlighted centuries of trade through Salaga, Kintampo, Techiman and Kumasi, which he said served not only as commercial corridors but as pathways for diplomacy and cultural exchange between the two kingdoms. He also acknowledged the painful legacy of the slave trade, commending President John Dramani Mahama’s advocacy for reparations for descendants of victims still affected by its aftermath.
On matters of governance, the Yagbonwura called for stronger collaboration between traditional areas in resolving land disputes and succession-related conflicts, and appealed to the Government of Ghana to support the Regional and National Houses of Chiefs in codifying customary laws, family lineages, and lines of succession to reduce chieftaincy disputes.
He also praised Otumfuo Osei Tutu II’s role in resolving the Dagbon chieftaincy dispute, describing it as a shining example of statesmanship and traditional leadership.
The Yagbonwura closed by expressing profound appreciation to the Asantehene for the reception, and prayed for continued unity between the two kingdoms.
The King of the Asante Kingdom, Otumfour Osei Tutu II in his remarks said he intend visiting the Japkpa Palace to replenish the visit to the Manhyia Palace by the Yagbonwura.
The revered King made this disclosure at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi after a courtesy call on him by the Overlory of Gonja kingdom, His Royal Majesty Yagbonwura Bii Kunutu Jewu Soale I.
He however did not disclose when he intend to make that historic visit to the Jakpa Palace.
The visit of Yagbonwura Bii-kunuto Jewu Soale to the Menhyia palace marks the third time a sitting Yagbonwura has visited the Asantehene
The late Yagbonwura Doshie was the first to pay a courtesy call on the Asantehene with is entourage from Accra after presenting the first petition for the creation of the Savannah region to former President J. A. Kuffour in 2002.
In 2010, late Yagbonwura Prof. Tuntumba Bore Essa (I) paid a historic royal courtesy call on His Majesty the Asantehene at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi.
Yagbonwura Bii-Kunuto’s visit to the Manhyia Palace is the third time the two giant traditional kingdoms meeting at the Menhyia palace.
