History of Asantehene’s Rolls Royce 20/25

One thing that catches the eye and identifies the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II when his convoy is on the road is his Rolls Royce.

Though he is most of the time seen in a modern Rolls Royce thus the Rolls Royce Phantom, he has one that has been used his predecessors since the early 20th century and that is the Rolls Royce 20/25.

Asantehene performs Breman Somkese today with with Nananom Kyidom,Gyaase,Manwere etc.

After Breman Otumfuo will ride in a palanquin through the principal streets of Kumase. #AsanteheneAt20 pic.twitter.com/Y81pim0kn1

— Manhyia Palace (@ManhyiaPalace) April 8, 2019

The Rolls Royce 20/25 was built by Rolls Royce Ltd. from 1926 to 1936 and it was very successful and popular at that time. The company produced 3, 827 and that of Asantehene is among the 70% that is still in use today.

In a video sighted by The Post, Asante Historian, Sarfo Kantanka was seen giving the history about the car.

From what we understood from the video, Otumfuo Agyemang Prempeh I (26 March 1888 – 12 May 1931) was the first Asante King to use the car when he returned from exile in Seychelles “in 1924.”

This means that he got the car later in his reign.

“In 1935 during the Asante Reunification, this is the car the Asantehene used,” he said.

In 1935, Otumfuo Agyemang Prempeh II was the Asantehene and his reign started from 22 June 1931 until his death in 27 May 1970.

Otumfuo Opoku Ware who reigned as the Asantehene from 6 July 1970 to 26 February 1999 also used the car.

“Asantehene[Otumfuo Osei Tutu II] does what he wants and he has chosen to use to this car,” he said.

The history behind Otumfour Osei Tutu II's 84 years old @RollsRoyce. pic.twitter.com/PDG1Ph8aSk

— Tutankhamun. (@Obiba_) May 10, 2019

by: Nana Asabere