The Asante Youth Association (AYA) has launched the Asante Legacy Awards, an initiative to celebrate leadership, honour heritage, and empower the next generation of Asante youth.

The awards were unveiled at a symposium held at the Golden Bean Hotel in Kumasi, under the theme: “Inheriting Greatness: Strengthening Asanteman through History and Youth Consciousness.”

The launch brought together distinguished statesmen and professionals, including former Roads and Transport Minister, Dr. Richard Anane, former KATH CEO Prof. Otchere Addai Mensah, former Presidential Staffer P.V. Dadson Jantuah, lawyer Obiri Boahen, and Dr. Osei Yaw Adutwum, MP for Bosomtwe and former Education Minister.

They shared insights, encouragement, and calls to action for the youth of Asanteman.

AYA President Dr. Ronald Ofori Anane, in his welcome address, said the awards are designed to serve as "a clarion call to conscientize the youth to rekindle the spirit of Ashanti" while creating a platform for knowledge-sharing and collaboration.

“Our story is not finished. It is still being written. This scheme seeks to acknowledge our heroes and leaders for serving their people and country, to provoke meaningful discussions on economic empowerment, and to unite Ashantis against the new enemy we face today, which is division,” Dr. Ofori Anane said.

Former presidential staffer, P.V. Dadson Jantuah, urged young people to hold firmly to three core values: integrity, unity, and resilience.

“Our integrity is our ‘sikadwa’ (Golden Stool). Unity is our strength, together we stand, divided we fall. And resilience defines us as Asante Kotoko, ‘wo kom apem a, apem bɛba’ — when you kill a thousand, a thousand more will rise,” he said.

Prof. Otchere Addai Mensah reminded participants of their duty to sustain the legacy handed down by Ashanti forebears.

“The way this kingdom has been passed down to us is the same way we are expected to pass it to future generations. But we must equip them to ensure not just their prosperity, but the continued prosperity of Asanteman,” he stated.

The Asante Legacy Awards ceremony is scheduled for December, where outstanding Ashanti youth and leaders will be recognized for their contributions to culture, community, and national development.

AYA believes the awards will not only honor those who have paved the way but also ignite a renewed consciousness among the youth to take up the mantle of leadership with pride and responsibility.