How Otumfuo earned the title King Solomon in his early years as Asantehene

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, is widely regarded as a wise leader whose wisdom in the resolution of conflicts has extended beyond his domain to other kingdoms in the country.

He is widely referred to by the Biblical character 'King Solomon,' a monarch of ancient Israel and the son and successor of King David.

It turns out that the name was given to him by appointees and admirers soon after he took the oath of office in April 1999.

The young successor to Opoku Ware II is said to have inherited a multiplicity of challenges when he took his oath, particularly in the areas of land and chieftaincy disputes that threatened the peace of Asanteman.

It was how he worked to settle these outstanding disputes, relative to the speed, skill and fairness he used that earned him the name King Solomon

Baffour Osei Hyeaman Brantuo VI, Otumfuo’s Manwerehene, stressed the pivotal nature of Osei Tutu II's actions in returning sanity to the institution that he inherited.

"There were so many cases littered in courts and our customary laws were not being followed rigidly in the determination of cases.

"So, he had to meet with the established system, the courts and asked them to stay off and try and bring all cases that had customary and traditional leanings to be handled before him and his courts...

"Fortunately, most of the people obliged and that was to set the pace to get all these things in order," he said in a documentary on the Silver Jubilee celebration of the Otumfuo.

Katinka Dr. Sir Kwame Donkoh Fordwor, a former President of the African Development Bank (1976 – 1979) testified to Otumfuo's wisdom: "he is very smart, when you are talking, the very time you start, he knows where you are going to end."

On the occasion of his 25th anniversary as Asantehene, the state broadcaster, GBC, aired a video of the local and global impact of the Asantehene dubbed: Otumfuo Osei Tutu II: Celebrating 25 Years of Local and Global Impact.

Several high-profile public personalities, from politicians, diplomats, technocrats, royals, friends and associates, speak extensively about Nana Asantehene's impact at home and beyond the borders of Ghana.

Watch the documentary below:

SARA

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