Erstwhile Cultural Ambassador, Juli Endee earlier this week joined the Akwasidae festival in Ghana, a very important historical and cultural event celebrated by the people of the Ashanti Kingdom in Kumasi.
Ambassador Endee has been in Ghana for the past week, having led a delegation of Liberians to the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi to pay homage to the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
She and her team wasted no time in joining the Asanteman in celebrating this year’s seventh Akwasidae on Sunday, in Kumasi, Ghana.
The delegation showcased Liberia’s rich cultural heritage through traditional singing and dancing, drawing admiration from the Asantehene and other dignitaries gathered at the royal palace.
Madam Endee and the Liberian team, led by the Liberia Crusaders for Peace Culture Troop, also performed a special song composed in honor of King Otumfuo. The song recognized the Asantehene’s outstanding role in promoting Africa’s image and cultural heritage on the global stage.
Meanwhile Ambassador Juli Endee has described the Akwasidae festival in the Ashanti Kingdom as an “amazing” and highly successful day of cultural diplomacy, performance, and high-level engagement that elevated Liberia’s profile on the continental stage.
The Commissioner General of the World Expo Liberia told the media after the two-day cultural exhibition in Kumasi, that of all the countries that participated in the exercise, “we were the only ones allowed to perform in front of the king. Liberia didn’t just do an excellent job — we’re always the best.”
The 20-member Crusaders for Peace musical band and dance ensemble also performed at a ceremony where the Asantehene received the King of the Diaspora Award from the Hollywood, United States based HAPA Awards.
The highlight of the visit came when Ambassador Endee and the Liberian delegation presented gifts to the Asantehene on behalf of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Vice President Jeremiah Kpang Koung, and traditional leaders of Liberia.
They presented authentic Liberian items and hand-made crafts, including country cloths, traditional masks, artifacts, scarves, fabrics, calabashes, a symbolic walking stick, sasa, and royal gowns in the national colors of red, white, and blue, with the items destined for the Ashanti palace and museum.
In response, his royal highness, Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, thanked Ambassador Endee and through her, President Boakai and the great people of Liberia for the gifts and exceptional love shown during the festival.
King Otumfuo said the gesture has made him put Liberia at a ‘special place in his heart’.
Accompanying the gifts were written presentations outlining President Boakai’s ARREST agenda (Agriculture, Rule of Law, Education, Sanitation and Tourism) and note of gratitude for Ghana’s contribution to the peace that Liberia now enjoys today.
Madam Endee expressed particular pride that the Liberian gifts were singled out and brought forward for direct presentation to the king. “When everybody’s gifts were taken to the back, our gifts were called to be brought up front and given to the king. The king received the gifts, and that was a plus for us,” she added.
The Asantehene later invited the Liberian contingent to dinner at the palace. There, Ambassador Endee and team networked with investors and business leaders, promoted Liberia as “the choicest destination” open for business.
“I met a lot of people, a lot of investors and discussed a lot of business opportunities” Endee said, adding that concrete opportunities arising from the meetings will be forwarded to Liberia’s Minister of Agriculture, Director General of Tourism, and Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Meanwhile, Ambassador Endee’s trip to Ghana has already generated further invitations, including to Russia and Nigeria, a move that underscores a crucial point that Liberia’s cultural representation abroad continues to open doors for more opportunities.