The Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Foundation has been reflecting on its 25 years of successes in transforming lives in deprived communities across Ghana.

Addressing a gathering at the Jubilee Hall of the Manhyia Palace, the Asantehene said the idea to establish the Foundation was conceived when he ascended the Golden Stool, with a dream to advance Asanteman and Ghana through dignity, resilience, and opportunity for all.

According to him, the Foundation made its maiden disbursement to support 600 students in Ghana’s three public universities under the Otumfuo Education Fund.

"Over time, the vision expanded, initiating transformative projects across various sectors under different umbrellas until 2009, when I formally consolidated all interventions into the Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Foundation," he stated.

The Foundation now operates across education, health, water and sanitation, culture, and heritage.

"With this re-organisation, I sought to bring unity, accountability, and efficiency to our work, and I’m proud to say that what we have achieved so far is both humbling and inspiring,” the Otumfuo added.

The Asantehene recounted the Foundation’s journey, highlighting its inspiration, evolution, and phases of growth.

“Our ancestors fought gallantly and secured this land through the might of arms. Today, we live in a different era. It is not the strength of the gun that determines a person’s future, but the strength of their minds, health, environment, and unity of identity and purpose,” he emphasized.

Educational Infrastructure

Through the support of the World Bank, over 740 school structures have been built and renovated across the country, including the construction of 46 classroom blocks, the re-roofing of dilapidated buildings, and the donation of over 980,000 desks.

Additionally, over 1,000 school children have received essential supplies, ranging from textbooks to mathematical sets, exercise books, and computers from the Foundation.

"We have touched schools in deprived areas where the state alone could not reach," said Otumfuo.

In marking the Silver Jubilee of the Otumfuo Foundation, former President John Agyekum Kufuor launched an Endowment Fund aimed at ensuring the long-term sustainability of the Foundation’s projects and programmes.

Donors to the Fund were grouped into Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Diamond categories, based on their contributions and were honoured with certificates and plaques.

Contributors included Unijay, All-Star Insurance Limited, YOA Global Education, Fidelity Bank, Guarantee Trust Bank, First Atlantic Bank, Asanko Ghana Limited, SIC Insurance Plc, Zongo Nkosuohene, Kyidom Fekuo, Akwamu Fekuo, Kontri Fekuo, Benkum Fekuo, and Rejjio Construction Limited.

The Board Chairman of the Foundation, Nana Prof. Oheneba Boachie-Adjei Woahene II, said the Endowment Fund would enable the Foundation to meet the increasing demand for scholarships.

"Let us ensure that no child in Ghana is denied education because of poverty. Let us stand with our teachers, support our clinics, strengthen our culture, and invest in a future where Asanteman and Ghana flourish in harmony and dignity,” he said.

At the event were Lady Julia Osei Tutu, wife of the Asantehene; former President John Agyekum Kufuor; Juabenhene Nana Otuo Sereboe II; Harriet Thompson, British High Commissioner to Ghana; Most Rev. Joseph Osei Bonsu, the Foundation’s first Board Chair; and Alhaji Yussif Ibrahim, Business Mogul and Philanthropist.