Otumfuo has transformed chieftaincy

Traditional rulers are expected to galvanise their people to focus on issues that will bring about development and transform their living standards.

As custodians of ancestral and community lands, chiefs also carry the burden of preserving the culture and traditions of their kith and kin. A good traditional ruler, therefore, is keen to initiate and see to the execution of development projects for his people.

Before the advent of colonialism, traditional rulers played these very important roles to the admiration of their subjects.

With the creation of colonies, however, the role of the traditional ruler was diluted so much that currently there are some who hold the view that the chieftaincy institution has lost its significance and should, therefore, be scrapped. 

It is true that some traditional rulers have not made much impact on the lives of their subjects, making such a perception justified. 

On the other hand, some traditional rulers have made significant contributions to the well-being of their subjects and the nation at large.

One such traditional ruler is Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene. 

Over the past two months, the people of Asante have carried out a number of activities to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the enthronement of Otumfuo, who became the 16th Asante King on April 26, 1999. 

We rejoice with Otumfuo in the celebration of his anniversary, and we have reason to do so.

Since he became the custodian of the Golden Stool, Otumfuo has ensured that many chieftaincy disputes in Asante have been amicably settled to ensure peace in his traditional area.

In addition to that, he has undertaken a number of projects which have benefitted not only Asantes but other Ghanaians and Africans as well.

Principal among his projects is an educational fund, now part of the Otumfuo Charity Foundation, which he established to support brilliant, needy students. 

Many Ghanaians, not only Asantes, have benefitted from this fund.

His forthrightness in dealing with issues made him the choice to chair a committee of eminent chiefs when, in 2001, it became necessary for a high-level body to mediate in the Dagbon chieftaincy crisis. As the chairman of that committee, he has demonstrated impartiality, which led to the adoption of an effective road map for the resolution of the crisis.

Again, he has been able to negotiate a grant from the World Bank to support a unique international relations programme that seeks to promote partnerships with traditional rulers elsewhere.

As  a custodian of ancestral and community lands, Otumfuo has been able to oversee the lands of Asante in a manner that has saved Asante lands from the dreaded use of land guards, as is the case in other parts of the country.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu has highlighted and transformed the role of traditional rulers and this has made him the epitome of the modernisation of the chieftaincy institution.

The Daily Graphic salutes him. We ask for God’s blessings and guidance for him in his pursuit of programmes and projects for the benefit of Asanteman and Ghana.