Lawyer and Historian Nana Obiri Boahen has revealed that His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, has entrusted him with the gift of a university, set to be established soon in the Bono Region.
Speaking at the Ashanti Youth Association’s “Asante Legacy Awards Symposium” held at the Golden Bean Hotel in Kumasi, Nana Obiri Boahen shared that he first learned about the university project during a conversation with some Indian nationals. These individuals informed him that they had previously discussed the idea of establishing a university with the Asantehene.
Upon hearing this, Nana Obiri Boahen said he sought an audience with Otumfuo Osei Tutu II to express his desire to take responsibility for building the university specifically in the Bono Region.
Nana Obiri highlighted that the Asantehene granted him the university project outright.
He disclosed, “Could you believe that some time ago, I met some Indians. While having conversations with them, they said they had come to meet Otumfuo to discuss establishing a university. So, I booked an appointment to meet Otumfuo and informed him about the university, and Otumfuo promised to give it to me.”
“A whole university, Otumfuo sacrificed to give it to me. If he gives it to me, where else would I take it? Isn’t Bono my place? Even within Bono, it is divided into two: the Number 2 are the Asantes, and the Number 1 are the Bono. I am taking it to Number 1.”
Obiri Boahen praised Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II for his widely beneficial scholarships but urged for greater promotion beyond the Ashanti Region.
He stated, “We will thank Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu for his scholarships; they have reached everywhere, benefiting many people. A lot of people are benefiting from them, but you are not promoting it for the world to hear.”
The historian also took a moment to criticize Dormaa Hene, Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Dr. Nana Freduah Agyemang Badu II, for what he described as continuous disrespect toward Otumfuo Osei Tutu II despite the Asantehene’s ongoing developmental initiatives benefiting the Bono area.
Nana Obiri Boahen lamented that the Dormaa traditional leadership has shown little appreciation for Otumfuo’s efforts.
He stressed “Among all the towns in the Ashanti region and other towns allied to the Asante Kingdom, Otumfuo gave it to me to take to Bono. However, the Dormaahene is not interested in discussing it. Dormaahene won’t appreciate Otumfuo for this.”
Source: www.Kumasimail/Kwadwo Owusu
