Born as Nana Barima Kwaku Duah, Otumfuo Osei Tutu has been the monarch since 26 April 1999 following the death of his predecessor Otumfuo Opoku Ware II.
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21st Anniversary of Otumfuo: 5 significant achievements of the Asantehene
The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II celebrated twenty-one years of ascension unto the golden stool yesterday, April 26.
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Otumfuo's two-decade reign has been characterized by numerous achievements and milestones both in Ghana and in the West African sub-region.
These achievements span from peace mediation, education, technology, humanitarian services, and many others.
We, at Pulse Ghana, has, therefore, chronicled five (5) of these milestones that sits at the top of Otumfuo's tenure as the Asantehene.
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Mediation of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology riots: In October 2018, protests by students at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology turned violent which led to the destruction of school properties.
Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo
Pulse Ghana
The students alleged that the University authorities have abandoned them and the security on campus was manhandling them. They also called for the resignation of the Vice-Chancellor of the University.
However, the intervention of the Chancellor of the University, Otumfuo Osei Tutu led to the reopening of the school after it was closed indefinitely by the Ashanti Regional Minister. The Asantehene also set up a committee to investigate the causes of the riot by students.
10-year development plan for Kumasi: Otumfuo Osei Tutu unveiled a 10-year development plan for Kumasi in April 2019.
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The plan also includes an initiative to industrialize the local economy to scale up employment and create wealth in the city.
Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II
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The projects lined up under the plan are estimated to cost about $400 million to be sourced mainly from the private sector.
Restoring peace to Dagbon: The role of the Asantehene in the restoration of peace and the subsequent enskinment of an overlord for the people of Dagbon cannot be overemphasized.
In 2002, after the unfortunate murder of Ya Na Yabuku Andani, regent of Dagbon, then-President John Agyekum Kuffour instituted the Committee of Eminent Chiefs headed by Osei Tutu II to intervene.
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The committees' mandate included facilitating negotiation and mediation talks between the Andani and Abudu royal families, and drawing a roadmap for the restoration of peace in the Kingdom of Dagbon and in November 2019, the Committee finally made a peace pact with the feuding factions.
This led to the performance of the funerals of Mahamadu IV and Yakubu II from December 14, 2018, to January 18, 2019. These were then followed by the investiture of Ya-Na Abukari Mahama as a substantive king of the Kingdom of Dagbon.
Otumfuo Education Fund: Shortly after his enstoolment in 1999, the Asantehene instituted an educational fund to help the youth in the Ashanti Region.
The Executive Director of the Foundation, Dr. Thomas Agyarko-Poku has said that 301,980 students have received full scholarships and bursaries.
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Otumfuo Osei Tutu II — Asantehene
Pulse Ghana
"They include 25,756 people who have received full scholarships to pursue education at various levels and 276,224 others who received some form of financial support ranging from, bursaries for part payment of fees, accommodation, stationery, clothing transportation, and airfare as well as admission examination fees", he said.
Influenced IMF's aid to Ghana: In July 2016, ex-President John Mahama revealed the significant role of the Asantehene in the bailout the International Monetary Fund (IMF) gave Ghana.
He said that Otumfuo’s intervention at the IMF had facilitated an assistance which helped to sustain the economy.
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