The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has commemorated his 22nd year on the Golden Stool.

Traditionally, the Asantehene is the leader of the Asante Kingdom. Under his rulership, since April 26, 1999, the chieftaincy institution has become a symbol of peace, democracy and development.

Born Berima Kweku Duah, he pledged his allegiance to the Golden stool, making him the 16th Ashantehene.

The Asantehene is noted for his ability to breathe peace among political and traditional leaders, a memorable one was the ‘Peace Pact’ during the December elections.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, under his leadership, has promoted access to education, made way for the construction of a fruit processing factory, and notably, the newly developed Kejetia market are some economic impact.

One major focus of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II is the preservation of the environment for a sustainable future.

“And I’ve been very particularly concern about Lake Bosomtwi degradation, the 22 communities which live there, and the awareness for them to appreciate that this is your livelihood and this is what would sustain you on earth and all those things. That’s why I initiated the tree planting program there.”

The Asantehene wants people to appreciate the need to plant trees, “we need to preserve our earth and then we also have to be conscious of the climate change but it’s real.”

He noted that there is a change in climate pattern, making it difficult for farmers to predict rainfall.

“You can even talk about rainfall pattern that’s happening now, now we cannot predict and farming and everything are all based on, if it is scientific formula fine.

“But we use to have a rainfall pattern that could be predicted and that why we could even start with the farming and all those things, and it's changed dramatically.”

The administrator of the Otumfuo Charity Foundation, Dr Agyarko Poku said, but for Otumfuo’s intervention, some children may not have had the opportunity to attend school.

“Besides the Otumfuo scholarship, we are also providing infrastructure, we are also providing teaching and learning materials.”

Chief Linguist for Asantehene, Nana Nsuase Poku, said that the Otumfuo has lived his words.

“When he was swearing the oath, he said that he was coming to rule Asante in truth, and true to his words, that is what he has done ever since he was enthroned, that is 22 years ago,” he noted.

Many anticipate more development projects in the Asante Kingdom under Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.