The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has been granted honorary and unrestricted access to the City of Savannah, Georgia, following a symbolic presentation of the city’s key by a visiting American delegation on July 16, 2025.
The key, a mark of the city’s highest honour, was presented at the Manhyia Palace by Savannah’s City Council, led by Mayor Van R. Johnson. This gesture of recognition follows a longstanding relationship that began in 2002, when the King first visited Savannah and introduced his education fund for the Asante people.
The recent visit by the American delegation served not only to renew that bond but also to express deep appreciation for the Asantehene’s leadership and hospitality. As part of the gesture, the Council made a financial donation to support the Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Foundation, applauding his prioritization of education and social advancement.
Dr. Joseph Silver Sr., who led the delegation, personally delivered the donation and introduced the delegation to Otumfuo. The Mayor of Savannah also emphasized the symbolic and historical importance of the visit, describing it as a reconnection of shared roots and a platform for future collaboration.
In addition to the city key, a vase was also presented to the King as a token of gratitude and cultural connection. During the visit, Otumfuo warmly recalled the memories of his 2002 visit, expressing a strong desire to return to Savannah and reconnect with the communities he previously engaged with.
Addressing the guests, the Asantehene used the opportunity to spotlight the continuing economic struggles faced by African nations. He lamented the continent’s reliance on exporting raw materials while depending on the West for finished goods, a system he believes keeps Africa economically constrained.
He also stressed the need for Africans in the diaspora to invest not just financially, but intellectually and professionally, in their ancestral homeland. The King reaffirmed his commitment to welcoming those seeking to contribute to the continent’s transformation and praised leaders like Dr. Silver who are taking proactive steps toward reconnecting with Africa.
The visit concluded with a shared understanding of heritage, unity, and the need for partnerships that can address long-standing socio-economic imbalances.
