By Isaac Justice Bediako, Ghana
HIS ROYAL Majesty, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, clocks 25 years on the sacred Golden Stool of the Asante Kingdom today, Friday, April 26, 2024.
Then known as Barima Kwaku Duah in private life, he was enstooled as the 16th Asante King on April 26, 1999, succeeding his late brother, Otumfuo Opoku Ware II.
The historic enstoolment ceremony was held at the seat of the Asante Kingdom, the Manhyia Palace, in Kumasi, and it was graced by top government officials in the state at the time.
Also present at the colourful traditional ceremony included all the powerful paramount chiefs of Asanteman and other traditional leaders from other regions in the country and beyond.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, a true royal of the Golden Stool, was the last child of the five children of the late Asante Queen, Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem, who also reigned successfully.
There was merrymaking in Kumasi in the Ashanti Region and other parts of the country, especially areas which served the Golden Stool when Otumfuo was officially unveiled as king in 1999.
Mammoth Church Service
As part of activities marking the Asantehene’s 25 years reign today, there would be a mammoth interdenominational church service at the forecourt of the Manhyia Palace.
The Asantehene is expected to grace the religious occasion, which would certainly be attended by prominent men of God in the Ashanti Region and the country at large.
As usual, the clergy would lead the Asantehene in fervent prayers to thank God for helping and protecting him to attain 25 years on the great throne.
Also, prayers would be made for God’s continuous guidance, direction and protection for the Asantehene so he would live long and his reign would be filled with success.
Otumfuo’s Achievements
Significantly, Otumfuo has used the last 25 years to write his name in the history books as one of the greatest kings that the Asante Kingdom, which is about 400 years old, has produced.
Under his able leadership, the image of the Asante Kingdom, without doubt, has been transformed and positively uplifted across the country and at the world stage.
This has been made possible following the Asantehene’s unique leadership style, as he has combined the rich tradition of Asante and modern style to put the Asante Kingdom on the global stage.
Among his major successes include his ability to resolve all the chieftaincy disputes, which were hindering the proper development of the Asante Kingdom before his enstoolment.
Also, Otumfuo has scored higher marks in the area of education and human resource development through his famous ‘Otumfuo Education Fund’, which he established immediately he was enstooled.
Through the Otumfuo Education Fund, thousands of brilliant but needy Ghanaian school-going children have been supported to realise their academic ambitions without any financial obstacle.
The Otumfuo Education Fund has helped to produce medical doctors, engineers, journalists, teachers, nurses, and other professionals, who are now contributing to national growth.
Also, the Asantehene has performed exceptionally well in the area of sanitation, as he has been seen leading periodic cleanup exercises to influence his people to live in a clean environment.
In the area of health, the Asantehene has also sponsored several health outreach programmes, especially in the hinterlands. He has also built several health facilities in the Ashanti Region.
Otumfuo has also dug uncountable number of mechanised boreholes to provide clean water for people who are living in deprived communities, among other achievements.
Also, the Asantehene has used his reign to boost unity between Asantes and other tribes in the country, as he has visited Akyem Abuakwa in the Eastern Region and Anlo in the Volta Region.
Top Awards
The Asantehene’s achievements have been recognised and duly rewarded by top universities and other respected bodies in the country and the global stage during the last 25 years.
For instance, due to Otumfuo’s love for peace and unity, he was once invited by the United Nations (UN) in the United States (US), where he delivered a powerful thought-provoking statement about the need for global peace.
The Asantehene was also honoured with a Pillar of Peace award for his wise and significant efforts to help restore peace at Dagbon, in the Northern Region.
Otumfuo, who is highly respected across the globe as one of the powerful monarchs in the world today, has also been invited to several countries for a state visit, where he was accorded protocols reserved for presidents.
Just recently, he was invited by the Buckingham Palace in the United Kingdom, where he attended the coronation of King Charles, a feat which brought honour to the country.
