HE President John Dramani Mahama has paid glowing tribute to the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, recounting the monarch’s profound influence on some of the most critical turning points in his political life.
Addressing a royal delegation at the Jubilee House during a courtesy visit by the Asantehene, President Mahama offered a deeply personal and reflective narrative of his longstanding relationship with the King of the Asante Kingdom.
In an emotionally charged speech, President Mahama recalled how his relationship with Otumfuo began in his early childhood while growing up in Ringway Estates in Accra.
“My father’s house was directly opposite that of Nana Aduhene, and his children and nephews—Kojo Botsio, Kwame Nkrumah, Ato Ahwoi, and others—were our friends. They used to spend their school holidays there.”
President John Dramani Mahama
Among those older children, he remembered, was one who would later become Otumfuo Osei Tutu II. “We were younger, so they used to send us to buy ice cream and run errands.”
President Mahama admitted that when Otumfuo was first enstooled after the passing of Nana Opoku Ware II, he was initially puzzled. “I said, but this is Aduhene; he is Sehwi—how does he ascend to the Asante throne?” he said with a chuckle. “Then the jigsaw puzzle fit together. He was being groomed for the throne from Nana Aduhene’s palace, and that explained the frequent visits to Ringway.”
According to President Mahama, once Otumfuo was enstooled, Manhyia Palace became like a second home to him, and the Asantehene assumed the role of an elder brother, advisor, and confidant.
Otumfuo’s Support for Ghana-IMF ECF
The President recounted how Otumfuo’s wise counsel proved invaluable during his time as President, particularly when Ghana was negotiating with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) during a period of economic difficulty.
“It was Otumfuo who flew to New York and spoke to the IMF Director. That intervention helped open the Extended Credit Facility to us,” President Mahama revealed, highlighting the quiet but powerful diplomacy that the monarch wields behind the scenes.
One of the most pivotal moments in President Mahama’s career—his acceptance of the role as running mate to the late President John Evans Atta Mills—was also shaped by Otumfuo.
President Mahama shared that he had initially resolved to exit politics altogether when the offer was first made.
“Prof. Mills sent the late Baffour Bonney and a team to approach me, but I turned them down. Then one day, I got a call: ‘Otumfuo wants to see you at Manhyia.’ Who am I to refuse?”
HE President John Dramani Mahama
President Mahama recounted that the invitation by Otumfuo offered words that would change the course of history. “He said, ‘When your country calls you, you cannot refuse.’ He told me to take the offer from Prof. Mills,” President Mahama recalled.
According to him, Otumfuo was on his way to South Africa at the time and asked for a final response upon his return. “When he came back, I told him I had accepted—but only for one term. Otumfuo responded, ‘Even if it’s for one day, we’ll accept it.’”
That decision ultimately led Mahama to become Vice President, then President following the untimely death of President Mills, and now, once again, Head of State.
President Mahama expressed deep gratitude for Otumfuo’s friendship, wisdom, and unwavering support throughout his political career. “Your Majesty, I thank you very much. I appreciate your friendship. You have been a steady source of counsel and guidance,” he said.
The tribute underscores not only the personal relationship between the President and the Asantehene but also the influential role traditional leaders continue to play in Ghana’s political landscape.
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