The Manhyia Palace has warned individuals, who have produced portraits and pictures of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and are selling them to the public to stop forthwith.
A press release signed by Mr. Kofi Owusu Boateng, Personal Secretary to the Asantehene, in Kumasi said it is unacceptable for people to use the Asantehene’s portrait or picture for commercial purposes. It named some of the portraits and pictures on sale as one with the inscription “Otumfuo ye da wo ase”, pictures of Otumfuo and the chairman of Asante Kotoko FC with the club’s crest and inscription “Fabulous the best: Wo kum apem a, apem beba” and ordinary pictures of Otumfuo. The release said whilst Manhyia appreciates the support the citizenry have demonstrated for the Asantehene, it would not allow his portrait and picture to be used with careless abandon by people seeking to enrich themselves.
Consequently, it said, all those engaged in unauthorized production and sale of portraits and pictures of Otumfuo Osei Tutu should stop immediately and take steps to withdraw all the pictures and portraits from the market. The release advised all to take cognisance of the directive and be guided accordingly since it said the Manhyia Palace would not take kindly to any person or group of persons who would contravene the directive.
