British actor Idris Elba in February of this year, had the distinct honor of participating in the Akwasidae festival, a significant event in Asanteman, where thousands of subjects and visitors gathered to pay tribute to the revered overlord of the Ashanti Kingdom, His Royal Majesty Nana Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
This particular occasion marked the celebration of the first Akwasidae festival for the year 2023. In a recently released documentary produced for the World Gold Council, Idris Elba recounted his remarkable experience of meeting Otumfuo and the rare privilege of shaking hands with the occupant of the revered Golden Stool.
“I don’t get stage freight but this, this was kind of nerve wrecking,” the actor narrates before his brief exchange with Otumfuo is shown in the documentary.
“It’s rare to be granted a personal audience with the King, so to meet the great man is a genuine honour.
“I can’t honestly believe that I am here and the king greeted me, you know, like a prince..,” he shared.
In the documentary titled “Gold: A Journey With Idris Elba,” the actor, who has Ghanaian heritage, embarked on a captivating global exploration. This expedition delved into the multifaceted and sometimes unexpected transformations brought about by gold and the societies intertwined with it throughout history.
Idris Elba’s mission took him across the world to unravel the human narrative woven into the fabric of gold’s history. His quest aimed to unearth the enduring significance of gold and shed light on why its contributions continue to play a pivotal role in our ongoing evolution as a society.
Watch the documentary below: