Vice-President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has said Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II’s constant advice and guidance is an asset to Ghana’s growth and development.

Dr. Bawumia said this when he joined the Asantehene for his 69th birthday and 20-year anniversary on the golden stool thanksgiving service at the St. Cyprian’s Anglican Church in Kumasi on Monday, 6 May 2019.

“His Majesty continues to play a critical role in the Ghana project, and his constant advice and guidance has been a tremendous asset to Ghana’s growth and development,” Dr Bawumia said, and prayed for “good health, long life, and wisdom,” for the Asante monarch.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has been the monarch since 26 April 1999 following the death of his predecessor Otumfuo Opoku Ware II.

Known in private life as Nana Barima Kwaku Duah, he is the youngest of the five children of the late queen mother Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem II.

He is credited for the creative way he intertwines tradition with modernity by mobilizing his subjects to partner government institutions in uplifting the people.

His educational fund, known as the Otumfuo Education Fund, since its inception has benefited over 5,000 students at various levels of education. His health fund provides financial and material support for the reduction of maternal and infant mortality, glaucoma and other eye diseases, Buruli ulcer as well as the eradication of guinea worm disease.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has been nicknamed ‘King Solomon’ after the wise king of Israel for his sapient counsel in solving challenging problems including several land and chieftaincy disputes in the Asante Kingdom.

He has extended his wise counsel to governance and has over the years contributed immensely in finding lasting solutions to political differences between some of the past and present presidents of Ghana.