The Monarch of the Asante Kingdom, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, will deliver the keynote address at the conference of the Rotary District 9104 in Kumasi in mid-April.
His Majesty accepted the humble request when some executives of the District called on him at the Manhyia Palace on March 27, 2024, led by the Governor, Mr David Osei Junior.
The delegation included Assistant Governor Russell Banful, Past President Nana Poku Agyemang, President of Rotary Club of Nhyiaeso, Joseph Adomako, President-elect of Rotary Club of Kumasi, Nana Afia Osei Asamoah, President-elect of Rotary Club of Obuasi, Delphine Gborgblovor and Rotarian Allen Akpah Bright.
In his speech, Governor Osei Junior said the conference was intentionally lobbied to be held in Kumasi from April 12 to April 14 as part of his objectives.
“This year in particular, our motto is Peace and we know Otumfuo stands for peace and he has done a lot in the Ashanti Region so I was selected to come plead with Otumfuo to deliver a speech on how he has succeeded in maintaining peace in Ashanti together with all other works he has done.”
He said Rotarians from across the globe including the United States, Benin, Togo and Nigeria are expected to join the conference.
Meanwhile, PA Nana Poku Agyemang also announced plans by the club to induct Otumfuo as a Paul Harris Fellow, a recognition in acknowledgement of individuals who contribute or who have contributed $1000 in their name to the Rotary Foundation.
Otumfuo characterized the success in gaining the right to host the conference in Kumasi as a great honour to Asanteman and Ghana at large.
He recalled that he first attended a conference by the club in 1971, while he was a student of the Institute of Professional Studies (IPS), now University for Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), and deemed it great to attend the conference this year.
He therefore directed the leadership to liaise with his office for the necessary arrangement.
“I will join. This is a great honour,” he said.
Source: Manhyia Palace