A sculptures of the 16 kings of the Asante Kingdom
The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, on Friday, May 23, 2025, hosted the inaugural Otumfuo Art Award ceremony at the Manhyia Palace Jubilee Hall.
The event, organized by the Manhyia Palace Museum in partnership with UNESCO, featured a display of remarkable artefacts highlighting the rich heritage of the Asante Kingdom.
One of the most captivating exhibits was a presentation showcasing all the kings who have ruled the Asante Kingdom since its founding.
The Asante Kingdom, established in the 1670s, has had 16 kings to date.
Below is the list of Asante Kings and the duration of their reigns:
Otumfuo Nana Osei Tutu, who was born Osei Kofi and is regarded as the founder of the Asante Empire, was the leader of Asanteman from 1670 to 1717.
After Otumfuo Osei Tutu I came Nana Opoku Ware I, who reigned from 1720 to 1750.
Then came Nana Kusi Obodum, who was Asantehene from 1750 to 1764. Kusi Obodum was forced to abdicate.
After Otumfuo Kusi Obodum was Otumfuo Nana Osei Kwadwo Okoawia, who was Asantehene from 1764 to 1777.
Otumfuo Osei Kwadwo was followed by Nana Osei Kwame Panyin, who reigned from 1777 to 1803.
Nana Opoku Fofie became the Asantehene in 1803 and reigned till 1804.
Otumfuo Nana Osei Bonsu took over from Opoku Fofie and was the king of Asanteman from 1804 to 1824.
Then came Asantehene Nana Osei Yaw Akoto, who ruled from 1824 to 1834.
Asantehene Nana Kwaku Duah I followed Yaw Akoto and reigned from 1834 to 1867.
Otumfuo Nana Kofi Karikari, who ruled from 1867 to 1874, succeeded Asantehene Kwaku Duah.
After Kofi Karikari was Otumfuo Nana Mensah Bonsu, who ruled from 1874 to 1883, when he was forced to abdicate.
Nana Kwaku Duah II was the Asantehene in 1884. He died after a short illness.
Otumfuo Nana Prempeh I became the Asantehene after the Asante Civil War in 1888 and ruled from 1888 to 1931.
After Otumfuo Prempeh I came Nana Osei Tutu Agyeman Prempeh II, who reigned from 1931 to 1970.
Otumfuo Opoku Ware II took over from Prempeh II and was Asantehene from 1970 to 1999.
The current Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, who was born Nana Kwaku Duah, took over from Opoku Ware II in 1999.
His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, graciously hosted the inaugural Otumfuo Art Award ceremony on Friday, May 23, 2015, at the Manhyia Palace Jubilee Hall. The initiative was organized by the Manhyia Palace Museum in partnership with the UNESCO Representative in Accra. pic.twitter.com/2anokif4sv
— The Asante Nation (@Asante_nation) May 24, 2025
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