[ 2011-05-06 ]

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II

Otumfuo marks Birthday
THE ASANTEHENE, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, on Thursday
put smiles on the faces of some students when he
gave them assorted scholarship packages.
The Ashanti King did not only have a wonderful day
with the students, but also distributed a variety
of educational materials including Otumfuo branded
exercise books, pens, and pencils among others.

The colourful ceremony, which was held at the
parade grounds of the ancient Manhyia Palace, the
official seat of the Asantehene, formed part of
activities marking the 61st birthday of the
Ashanti overlord, which falls on May 6.

In all, 180 brilliant but needy students from
primary to tertiary institutions selected across
the country received scholarships.

Sixty thousand students selected from 10 deprived
districts in the Ashanti region also became proud
recipients of the Otumfuo branded exercise books,
pens, and pencils.

Forty-seven out of the 180 scholarship
beneficiaries were awarded under the auspices of
the Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Charity Foundation,
whereas the remaining were personally awarded by
the King himself.

The Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Charity Foundation was
set up two years ago to coordinate the various
charity work of the Asantehene in the areas of
education, health, human empowerment, among
others.

Some of the schools whose students benefited from
the Otumfuo’s personal scholarship package
included T.I Ahimadiyah, Tweneboah Kodua,
Effiduase/Asokore Senior High Schools (SHS), among
others.

These fortunate students were selected when
Otumfuo recently embarked on an educational tour
and the students, through their authorities,
appealed to him for assistance.
To make the scholarship package more concrete,
cheques covering the payment of school fees for
the third term were presented to the
beneficiaries.

The beneficiaries also had the opportunity to
shake hands with the King.

Special awards were also given to chiefs,
individuals, corporate organizations, the media
and other identified groups who have contributed
in many ways to help grow the work of the
foundation.

Speaking on behalf of the Asantehene, the
paramount chief of the Juaben traditional area,
Nana Otuo Serebuo, disclosed that Otumfuo spent an
average of GH¢2m a term on the payment of school
fees of his scholarship awardees.

He revealed further that the Ashanti overlord,
through the immense assistance of the World Bank,
since his enthronement, had been able to build 42
classroom blocks in the Ashanti and Brong Ahafo
regions.

Nana Otuo Serebuo noted that because the Ashanti
King was dedicated to the provision of quality
education, he had also built several teachers’
bungalows and other educational facilities.

Stressing that Otumfuo was committed to the
provision of quality education, the paramount
chief stated that the Asantehene would continue to
lobby for support to invest in education.

To celebrate the achievements of the Asantehene in
the area of education, Nana Otuo Serebuo suggested
that May 5, a day before the birthday of Otumfuo,
should be set aside as the King’s day.

He explained that such a day would be used to
showcase the achievements of the Asantehene in
education and also provide opportunities for
beneficiaries to tell their success stories.

Source - Daily Guide

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