A Kumasi-based Islamic Cleric, Alhaji Sheikh Karim Badreendeen, has recommended for the consideration of the government to emboss the image of Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II on any of the local currencies, as a lasting and befitting honour in appreciation of his role in nation building.
The advocate noted that though Otumfuo is not a politician, he has excelled in his role as a Statesman and helped in promoting good governance, as well as marketed Ghana on various occasions on global platforms.
According to Sheikh Badreendeen it would, therefore, not be out of place to accord the Asantehene such honours to inspire him to do more for Ghana.
Sheikh Badreendeen noted that Otumfuo Osei Tutu II deserves national honours for his contributions to socio-economic and political development of the nation.
He has pointed to the Ashanti King’s contributions in the area of peace, national unity and stability, education, advocacy at the international level, local governance and democracy.
He mentioned the setting up of the landmark Otumfuo Education Fund which has benefited over 9,000 brilliant but needy students and girl child in the Basic, Secondary and Tertiary institutions with infrastructural facilities such as ICT centres, Head teachers and teachers’ bungalows towards promoting education.
He said the vital role the Asantehene played in resolving the Dagbon crisis to ensure peace among Andanis and Abudus and by extension among the Ghanaian populace and the institution of the Annual Teachers Award to honour best teachers under the Otumfuo Education Fund and the Otumfuo Health Fund for the benefit of many Ghanaians, particularly the aged in the society are commendable.
Sheikh Badreendeen the Peace treaty the Asantehene initiated at KNUST before the 2012 General Elections to ensure peaceful co-existence among the political parties in the country contributed immensely to the prevailing peace in Ghana to date, and sees that feat as a feather in Otumfuo’s cap.
It is also on record that the King also offered a vast land for the Manhyia Government hospital for expansion of hospital facilities.
Alhaji Badreendeen said Otumfuo’s commitment in the fight against illegal mining (galamsey) accounts for the huge contributions to the socio-economic development of the country.
The Islamic Cleric also pointed to the instrumentality of the Ashanti King in securing a World Bank facility to provide boreholes to vulnerable communities across the country which he described as historical.
The former fetish priest who converted to Islam explained his proposition that the track record of Otumfuo Osei Tutu the past 25 years since he ascended the Golden Stool is overwhelming, as his reign has been characterised by exceptional and exemplary traditional and executive leadership which calls for an honour to spur him to do more and further inspire others to contribute their quota to nation building.
The proponent described these achievements as healthy and worthy of commendation because of the magnitude of impact on the Ghanaian society and benefited all Ghanaians in one way or the other across the length and breadth of the country.
He reminded the government that “a country which does not honour her heroes is not worth dying for” and stressed the need to honour the King for his singular contribution to the growth of humanity.
It is for these and many more that the Islamic scholar advocated that the Asantehene deserves a lasting honour for his statesmanship role in human development and appealed to the government to consider his proposal.
