Dr. Thomas Agyarko Poku, Medical Superintendent of Suntreso Hospital and Director of the Asante Cultural and Traditional Institute, has explained the inspiration behind his book chronicling the 27-year reign of the Asantehene, drawn from decades of firsthand experience within the Manhyia Palace.
Speaking in an interview with Kofi Boakye on Nkwantannanso on Opemsuo Radio, he said his close association with the Asantehene began when the monarch was enstooled and moved into the Palace, marking the start of a long journey of observation and participation in royal activities.
“When the Asantehene was enstooled and moved into the Palace, I accompanied him. Everything we see in the Palace reflects history, even the pillars tell a story,” he said.
He explained that this experience inspired his book, The Making of Asantehene in the 21st Century: 27 Years of Leadership, Peace, and Legacy, which documents the monarch’s reign from a personal and eyewitness perspective.
Dr. Agyarko Poku noted that the book is not based on external research, but on events he directly witnessed during his time at the Palace.
“I have written many books, but this particular one started the day I entered the Palace. It is grounded in what I have personally witnessed,” he stated.
He further indicated that his involvement in key initiatives under the Asantehene, including the Otumfuo Charity Foundation, deepened his understanding of the leadership decisions taken over the years.
According to him, this access allowed him to document not only the events of the 27-year reign but also the context and reasoning behind them.
“I know what he did, when he did it, and the reasons behind his actions,” he said.
He added that although the Asantehene’s story appears in various publications, there was no single comprehensive account capturing the full reign, which motivated him to produce the book.
Source:
opemsuo.com