The University of Cape Coast (UCC) has emerged the first public university in Ghana to honour the revered Asantehene, His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu ll with an honorary Doctor of Laws degree at the institution's special congregation.

The honorary doctorate degree, conferred on Otumfuo Osei Tutu on Thursday, September 5, 2024, follow the Asantehene's extraordinary service to the nation, humanitarian initiatives, distinguished traditional leadership, promotion of peace and stability, preservation of culture and heritage, and his purveyor of traditional jurisprudence and advocacy of rule of law.

Otumfuo following his honorary award emerges the third traditional ruler to be conferred an honorary degree by the University of Cape Coast, after the paramount chief of the Assin Owirenkyi Traditional Area, Ehunabobrim Prah Agyensaim VI and the Oguaa Manhene, Osabarimba Dr. Kwesi Atta ll, all in the Central Region.

The well attended ceremony witnessed the presence of esteemed personalities likes Hon. Francis Asenso Boakye, the Minister of Road and Highways, Madam Charlotte Osei, the immediate past EC boss and Chairperson of the 2024 Oguaa Fetu Afahye, Vice-Chancellor of the Koforidua Technical University, and the Central Regional Commander of the GNFS, DCFO John Amarlai Amartey.

Also in attendance was Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, the Education Minister, Osabarimba Dr. Kwesi Atta ll, the Oguaa Manhene, Her Ladyship Justice Barbara Ackah-Yensu, an active Supreme Court Justice, Vice- Chancellor of Cape Coast Technical University, members of convocation just to mention a few.

Chancellor of UCC, Dr. (Sir) Sam Jonah speaking at the special congregation, he addressed Otumfuo to be one of Africa's most revered traditional leaders. A man whose influence transcends borders and generations and one whose unmatched wisdom, discernment, and visionary leadership is mostly likened to the biblical king Solomon.

He highlighted that Otumfour's reign has been marked by an unwavering commitment to justice, peace and socioeconomic development of his people, as his leadership extends far beyond the borders of the Asanteman, resonating across Ghana, West Africa, and the global stage.

Dr. Sam Jonah opined to be often said that great leaders are not defined by the power they willed, but the wisdom they saw in times of trials, which His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu ll embodies all such truth, since his reign has been a continuous demonstration of navigating complex issues with the blend of traditional wisdom and modern pragmatism.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu after been conferred the honourary degree, delivered an acceptance speech which encapsulated extensively on enhancing education in the country.

He admonished that regardless the lapses and shortfalls in Ghana's education system, it is incontrovertible that the country has invested enormous resources in education, as the explosion in tertiary education has produced a multitude of highly educated men and women with the skillset to manage and direct the affairs of the nation.

The Asantehene observed that in every sector of the Ghanaian society, the country's affairs are in the hands of actors who are not just educated but also highly qualified, which logically these output of educated leaders translate to greater efficiency, particularly in the management of the national economy.

Hence, he bewailed the endless lamentations of the country's economy being in distress, the legislature's inability to agree on issues of national interest and when told of the public decline in law enforcement, he couldn't help but quiz himself to findout if that's all what education can leave up for after all the country's investment and sacrifices.

Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, the Minister of Education following the acceptance remarks by His Royal Majesty, eulogized the Asantehene's in-depth knowledge into education and recommended that every graduate student of education in the country, devote time and read articles set to be published from the insightful address by His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu ll.

He, therefore, on behalf of the President Nana Akufo-Addo, congratulated Otumfuo for his honorary award and expressed excitement over the recognition bestowed the Asantehene by UCC to also applaud the university for carrying out such a great approach.

The Asantehene following his conferment, will from now onwards sort to be addressed as Otumfuo Dr. Osei Tutu ll.

Sompaonline.com/Eric Annan