Otumfuo Education Fund to award scholarships to students

Kumasi, 14th Aug 1999

The Board of Trustees of the Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Education Endowment Fund is to award scholarships and bursaries to 150 students within Asanteman, who are brilliant but needy in both junior and senior secondary schools from the next academic year.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, announced this, when he received members of the Tema Asantefuo Nkabom Kuo and Asante Kroye Kuo from Cape Coast, who paid separate courtesy calls on him at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi on Saturday.

The Asantehene thanked them for the visit and Asanteman for embracing his idea to ensure that the standard of education was improved through the provision of basic infrastructure and facilities for the children, especially those in the rural areas.

He suggested that it would be ideal for every citizen of Asanteman to contribute at least 200 cedis a month towards the Otumfuo Osei Tutu Education Endowment Fund, which was launched in Kumasi last Friday, 6th August.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II explained that it was the responsibility of all to contribute their quota towards the government's efforts to ensure that all children at least have some formal education in order that they could also contribute to the socio-economic development of the country.

He advised Asantes both at home and elsewhere to be law- abiding, lead honest life, love, unite and co-operate with each other and fulfil their tax liabilities to the government to generate enough funds for the development of the country.

Professor Atta Britwum, of the University of Cape Coast, presented a memorandum for the improvement of education in Asanteman to the Asantehene.

He said the memorandum contained suggestions on modalities on how best communities, parents, teachers and the public could be made aware of their responsibilities and contributions towards improvement in education

He noted that when the communities and other stakeholders in education become aware of their responsibilities, it could lead to the establishment of community and district libraries and also ensure an effective supervision in schools in the rural areas.

Dr Joseph S. K. Owusu, President of the Cape Coast branch of the Asante Kroye Kuo, presented customary drinks, a sheep, a large portrait of the Asantehene and 200,000 cedis to the Asantehene.

Nana Baffour Kyei, Tema Asantefuo Nkabomhene, thanked the Asantehene for the advice and assured him that they would be law-abiding and contribute to the development of Asanteman and the country.

He presented one carton aromatic schnapps and two million cedis to the Asantehene.