The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, is promoting enhanced collaboration among individuals and institutions to eradicate poverty, which he identifies as a significant barrier to children’s education in Ghana.
He emphasized the necessity of increasing investments to bolster support for educators and enhance educational infrastructure, thereby laying a robust foundation for the future of Ghana.
Reflecting on the achievements of the Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Foundation, established 25 years ago, the Asantehene characterized the journey thus far as both humbling and inspiring.
The Foundation was envisioned when Otumfuo Osei Tutu II took the Golden Stool 26 years ago, motivated by a desire to elevate Asanteman and Ghana through dignity, resilience, and opportunities for all.
In its formative years, the Foundation made its initial disbursement, aiding 600 students across Ghana’s three public universities. As time progressed, Otumfuo broadened his vision, launching transformative initiatives across various sectors.
These initiatives were consolidated in 2009 under the Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Foundation, which concentrates on education, health, water and sanitation, as well as culture and heritage.
Throughout the years, the Foundation has focused on providing support to underprivileged individuals and communities, both within and outside the Asante Kingdom, across its primary sectors.
During the celebration of the Foundation’s 25th anniversary, which also marked the launch of an Endowment Fund, the Asantehene emphasized the need for collaborative efforts to secure a thriving future for both the kingdom and the nation as a whole.
He urged attendees to not only contribute financially but to also engage in partnership with the Foundation, suggesting that their donations could serve as a lasting legacy that connects past achievements with future aspirations.
He stressed the importance of ensuring that no child in Ghana is deprived of education due to financial constraints.
The Endowment Fund is designed to guarantee the long-term viability of the Foundation’s significant programs. Initiated by former President John Agyekum Kufuor, the Fund aims to accumulate and invest ₵50 million over the next five years, with the goal of generating returns to support the Foundation’s various projects and initiatives.
Kufuor remarked that this fund is intended to safeguard the Foundation against potential challenges that may arise in the pursuit of its vision and objectives moving forward.
Contributors to the Fund were acknowledged and celebrated, categorized into bronze, silver, gold, and diamond tiers according to their donations, and were awarded certificates and plaques.
