Crown jewels belonging to Ghana's Royal family stolen from hotel in Norway



Precious Crown jewels belonging to Ghana's Royal family have been stolen from a hotel in Norway.



Police have launched an investigation into the theft of some of the traditional Ghanaian Ashanti jewels.



The jewels were with King Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, at the time they were stolen.

King Otumfuo Osei Tutu II of Ghana (sitting right) at the Norwegian-African Business Summit at Oslo Plaza, in Norway, where a suitcase containing the Ghanaian Ashanti crown jewels was taken

The gold jewelry which has been in the Ashanti family for generations was in a briefcase when someone snatched it from a hotel lobby.

The king is representing Ghana at a conference in the Norwegian capital.



The suitcase was taken from the lobby of the expensive Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel.

The jewels are used by the king when he performs ceremonial duties.

Police are now using images from surveillance cameras to try and catch those responsible.

The king's secretary Kofi Owusu Boateng was quoted as saying: 'Anyone carrying something of great personal value will understand what a great loss it is when it is stolen.'

He said the crown jewels have tremendous value but was unable to put a price on them.



The crown jewels were taken from the lobby of the Radisson Blu Plaza hotel in Oslo

However, he later told the BBC's Newsday programme it was 'not such a big deal' and that only some rings and headgear were taken.

King Otumfuo Osei Tutu II ascended the throne in 1999 as the 16th ruler, or Asantehene.

However, the constitution does not permit the king to take part in Ghanaian politics.

King Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and his delegation were staying at the Oslo hotel to represent Ghana at a business conference.

Ashanti kings are often heavily adorned in ornate golden jewelry when they make public appearances.



Historians say it is meant to symbolize the power and prestige of the Ashanti people, and many of the jewels hold symbolic spiritual meaning.