Glorious reign
Next Saturday, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II will formally observe 15 years on the Golden Stool, Asikadwa Kofi, with a durbar at the Kumasi Sports Stadium. It will be memorable because of the impact Otumfuo Osei Tutu has made in rejuvenating the Asante Kingdom.
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Subjects and admirers of the Golden Stool who cannot travel to Kumasi to pay homage can only wish the Asantehene long life and pray that through his leadership, Ghanaians will come to appreciate the relevance of chieftaincy to our national development.
There are some Ghanaians who have come to the conclusion that the chieftaincy institution is not necessary. However, these same people are very obsessed with royalty, especially in Europe. Indeed, among such people are those who spent time to watch the royal weddings between Prince Charles and Lady Diana and recently between Prince William and Kate Middleton.
When you ask such people why they admire royalty in England but scorn chieftaincy in their own areas, they are quick to point out the needless and countless disputes that have torn communities apart in the name of chieftaincy.
They point out the certainty of succession in England as against our situation where choosing a successor among royal families causes disaffection. They point to destructive chieftaincy disputes including situations such as occurred with the Anlos for a long time as well as the Dagbon intractable crisis. Some even point to chieftaincy disputes among the Akuapems, a people rooted in respect and noted for peace.
They, however, fail to take into account the situation of the Gonjas who have very elaborate succession process from Kpembe to Damongo. There is also the case of the Asantehene.
But, however one looks at it, the problems associated with chieftaincy are not so much issues of the institution per se but what we as communities, ethnic groups, as well as the individuals who occupy the stools or skins, make from and out of the institution. Where it is recognised that the institution is for the good of the people and must be used for that purpose, it becomes functional to development. Where individuals exploit the institution for selfish ends, it becomes a clog to the wheels of progress.
In the midst of such confusion and lack of appreciation, Otumfuo Osei Tutu has managed to bring honour and dignity to chieftaincy.
If today educational funds have become common to our traditional areas, Otumfuo deserves credit for his pioneering role in this area. Uniquely, the Otumfuo Education Fund has been applied to support children outside the area covered by the Asanteman Traditional Council, to other parts of the country.
In effect, the fund has been applied to cover the whole country. Indeed, Otumfuo thought beyond pupils and moved into the area of provision of infrastructure and motivation for teachers.
The Otumfuo annual award for teachers is another monument that must be celebrated as part of the 15 years of Osei Tutu II on the Golden Stool.
In the early days of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, his pragmatic and efficient approach to resolving a number of protracted chieftaincy conflicts within the Asanteman Council, most of which resonated with discernment and wisdom, earned him the accolade, King Solomon, in reference to that singular act of Solomon in resolving the matter between the two feuding mothers over the legitimacy of a child, and how the matter was so easily resolved, as recorded in the Bible.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu recognises that in this day and age, he cannot maintain his kingdom by conquests, but by offering a leadership that provides opportunities for as many of his subjects to realise their God given talents through quality education and healthcare. That is why he deserves the support and encouragement of all well-meaning Ghanaians, not only his subjects. For as our elders have maintained, whoever climbs a good tree (embarks on a worthwhile venture) deserves a push (support and encouragement).
It is on this score that I want to join those who have commended and congratulated Otumfuo Osei Tutu II on his reign and wish him long healthy life, God’s grace and blessings.
I want also to appeal to Otumfuo to consider carefully his decision to establish a medical university, and probably begin with a general purpose university and gradually work towards expansion until the capacity becomes available to venture into medical education. This is critical because any institution set up by Otumfuo must offer the best.
Otumfuo Opemsuo Osei Tutu II, your reign has been as glorious as your predecessor, the founder of the Asante Kingdom Opemsuo Osei Tutu I. May you continue to reign with dignity and honour.
