Asantehene’s achievements acknowledged in Parliament

By Ebenezer Hanson

It has been argued that it is time the government partnered the chieftaincy institution to mobilize the citizenry for development. The proponent said some kings and chiefs, particularly the Asantehene, have demonstrated beyond any doubt that with a visionary and inspirational leadership, Ghanaians could be mobilized to effect positive and meaningful changes in the society.

The proponent, Hon. Inusah Abdulai B. Fuseini, (NDC-Tamale Central), notes that the quality of leadership provided by Otumfuo Osei Tutu II during his ten-year reign as Asantehene has brought immense benefits that transcend the Ashanti Region and if other chiefs could take a cue and replicate it, Ghana would be the better for it.

“Government should partner the chieftaincy institution to galvanize the people into action. The Asantehene has proved that could yield fruitful results and I urge other chiefs to emulate this example,” he declared while contributing to a statement on the 10th Anniversary Celebration of the Enstoolment of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II by Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto in Parliament last Friday.

Against this backdrop, he submitted that Ghanaians must employ all means to maintain the sanctity of the chieftaincy institution. “We as a people must do whatever it takes to ensure that the chieftaincy institution is not debased.”

Hon. Fuseini expatiated in a later interview with the Public Agenda that, the processes of succession in certain areas coupled with population explosion and its attendant difficulty of identifying royals have led to confusion in the selection of successors and thereby demeaning the throne. “Sometimes unqualified people have managed to manouvre their way to the throne,” he pointed out.

He also blamed some chiefs for bringing the institution into disrepute through certain condemnable actions like the multiple sale of land.

Nothwithstanding, he dismissed the contention that the chieftaincy institution had become anachronistic and therefore should be abolished. In his view, “the chieftaincy institution represents an arrangement that reflects our historical antecedents. It was a tradition that was the central authority but modernity and current arrangement it has ceded that power to the state. Therefore we should celebrate that identity and uniqueness by maintaining it”.

In his statement, Dr.Akoto (NPP-Kwadaso) recognized observed that through the “modern methods and unique style of communication, Otumfuo has succeeded in transforming the image of the age old institution. He has pursued policies and programmes which have not only brought dignity and respect to chieftaincy, but introduced modern practices without compromising on the principles of the institution.”
He said haven identified education as the major instrument of social change and progress, Otumfuo instituted the Otumfuo Eduacation Trust Fund soon after his enstoolment and has since implemented many infrastructural and scholarship programmes to promote education in particular amongst the brilliant but socially disadvantaged and poor and children.

“These programmes have not only benefited residents in the Ashanti Region but also many young people from other regions. The Fund has been so successful that it has been adopted as a model by many traditional rulers up and down the country. And children from socially disadvantage background, in particular those in the rural areas, are the biggest beneficiaries of these initiatives.”

Dr. Akoto disclosed that in addition to the Education Fund, Otumfuo has also established the Otumfuo Health Trust which was launched to research and deliver basic healthcare to fight the incidence of common diseases which afflict the people.

Otumfuo has initiated these social interventions in the belief that Central Government alone cannot shoulder the burden of the needs of the people and that all hands are required on deck. It is not for nothing that that his people that he has received from his people the accolade of ‘King Solomon’,” he emphasized.

He also recognized the tremendous efforts being made by other traditional leaders in several areas of endeavour. “Straight to mind is the work of the Okyenhene Osagyefo Amoatia II in the area of the environment, Togbe Afede in energy generation and the Naayiri, King of the Mmamprusi, in peace making in the Northern part of the country”.

The Minister for Communications, Hon. Iddrisu Haruna,(NDC-Tamale South), commended the Otumfuo that in face of even threats from modernity, he has demonstrated that chieftaincy could be used to contribute to socio-economic development.

But for the Otumfuo, he noted, the Dagbon Chieftaincy crisis would have been worse and hoped that when finally he gives his ruling on the matter it would be acceptable to all the parties concerned.

On February 9, the Catholic Metropolitan Archbishop of Kumasi, the Most Rev. Akwasi Sarpong, launched the programme of events to mark and celebrate the 10th anniversary of the enstoolment of the Otumfuo. On April 29,1999, the then Mr. Kwaku Dua, took the Great Oath of Asante( Ntamkese) at Manhyia and ascended the Golden Stool as the 16th King of Asante.