Otumfuo Osei Tutu II is the 16th Asantehene, the King of the Asante. He has occupied the Golden Stool since his enstoolment on 26 April 1999.
The account of his life and work is drawn from the official biography published by the [Manhyia Palace – LINK]. Claims about his achievements below are the palace’s own.
Early life and education
He was born Barima Kwaku Dua on 6 May 1950, the youngest of five children of Nana Afua Kobi Serwaa Ampem II, Asantehemaa (Queenmother of Asante). He is a direct descendant of Osei Tutu I, founder of the Asante Kingdom.
From early childhood he was under the tutelage of his uncle, Oheneba Mensah Bonsu, who was enstooled Hiahene in 1952. The palace says his uncle ensured he was groomed in Asante traditions and statecraft.
He attended Sefwi Wiawso Secondary School in the Western Region. He returned to Kumasi in 1969 to enrol at Osei Kyeretwie Secondary School, then moved to Accra in 1971 to study accountancy at the Institute of Professional Studies, Legon.
Two years later he travelled to the United Kingdom and continued his accountancy studies at Kilburn Polytechnic. He later read Human Resource Development and Public Administration at the University of North London.
Career before the throne
He returned to Ghana in 1989 to set up his own business, Transpomech International (Ghana) Ltd. His earlier work included roles as Senior Consultant with Mutual of Omaha Insurance Company of Toronto, Finance Officer at the British firm Oxon in London, and Personnel Administrator at the Manpower Services Commission attached to Brent Council in London.
He was nominated to succeed his late brother, Otumfuo Opoku Ware II, as Asantehene. The palace says the nomination was received with universal acclaim.
Peace efforts
The palace says one of his first tasks was to encourage his people to choose arbitration over litigation in land and succession disputes. It says he has settled more than 500 land and chieftaincy disputes.
The Government of Ghana appointed him Chairman of a Committee of Eminent Chiefs to resolve the Yendi Skin Affairs.
In the run-up to Ghana’s 2012 elections, he convinced leaders of the political parties to sign a pledge to ensure peace before, during and after the polls.
Education and health
He set up the Otumfuo Education Fund, which the palace says has benefited more than 5,000 students. He also set up the Serwaa Ampem Aids Foundation, led by his wife, Lady Julia Osei Tutu, to help children affected by HIV/AIDS. Both operate under the Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Foundation.
In April 2000, the Association of Commonwealth Universities presented him with the Symons Award. He has also set up a Health Fund, and secured a World Bank grant for the “Promoting Partnerships with Traditional Authorities Project”.
Source: prekehmedia.com – LINK
