Otumfour Osei Tutu II, Asante King was born Nana Kwaku Duah.
On today’s episode of knowing your history, we take a look at the life story of Otumfour Osei Tutu II, Asante King.
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Speaking with us today is Teacher Kantanka, a knowledgeable and educated professor. He is a researcher at Pedagogy International and also a Historian. He will debrief us on the life story of the Asante hene, Otumfour Osei Tutu II. This episode entails his upbringing, and lifestyle.
[Greetings]
Brief history about Otumfour Osei Tutu II before he became the King.
[TEACHER KANTANKA] Otumfour was born as Nana Barima Kwaku Duah on May 6th 1950 to then Queenmother, Nana Afua Kobi Serwaa Ampem III (late) and Opanin Nana Boakye-Dankwa (late) who hailed from Kenkyiren in the Asante Region of Ghana. He is the youngest of five (5). He started basic education at the age of six at St. Joseph’s R/C primary, Ashanti town. He attended middle school at the Bantama State Boys, where he was awarded the Middle School Leaving Certificate (MSLC) after 10 years of schooling. Because he was a brilliant student, he passed the common entrance exams and gained admission at Sewhiyawaso Secondary School. Throughout his 5 years in Secondary school, he stayed with Nana Asihene II, chief of Sehwiyawaso. He furthered his studies at Osei Tweretwie Secondary School where he passed the WASSCE with flying colors.After completing high school, Otumfour became a teacher at Local Authority ( L/A) Primary, Asowase for a brief period.
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[ODO SERWAA] Thanks for watching!
[TEACHER K.] He taught for a while, then went to college at the Institute of Professional Studies (IPS) University, Accra. He pursued a Master’s degree at the North East London Polytechnic, London. He pursued another degree at the Northern University, London. He moved to Canada to work with the Mutual of Omaha Insurance company as a senior consultant and later came back to London to study. In the year 1989, he returned to Ghana and opened up his business; Transpomech International(dealers in heavy duty machines used for mining).
During this period, his older brother, Nana Opoku Ware II was the Asante hene. Unfortunately, Nana Opoku Ware II passed away so there was a need to find his replacement for the kingship. It was up to the Queenmother to choose a new King and Otumfour was chosen out of seven (7) suitors.
[ODO SERWAA] Why is it in tradition that it is the Queenmother who chooses a new King especially when her child/ children is amongst those who have shown keen interest to the throne? She could have given it to her child to avoid a lot of drama or?
[TEACHER K.] in Asanteman, there is no division. Every one born to their parents belongs to an extended family. Thus, your cousins are like your siblings regardless of their parents. It is with this notion that the queen mother allows every royal interested in kingship to partake in the quest for becoming the next king. Once a king is chosen out of the seven (7) suitors, the remaining six(6) are awarded the title ‘Barima”. This indicates that they are male royals. The title ‘Nana’ is awarded to female royals.
[THE END] Thanks for watching!