OTUMFUO: I Won’t Expose President Who Ignored Me

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has revealed that not every Ghanaian President has heeded his advice, but insists he will never publicly expose those who chose to ignore his good counsel.

Addressing members of the Asante community in Toronto, Canada, on last Saturday, the revered Ashanti monarch said he has quietly advised every President under Ghana’s Fourth Republic, regardless of party affiliation, as part of his commitment to national peace and development.

In a candid reflection on his relationship with successive governments, Otumfuo noted that while some Presidents embraced his guidance, others did not.

“Those who will listen, do listen; those who don’t listen, they don’t listen. But I won’t say in public that a President didn’t listen to my advice”, he said.

Touching on claims that he favours one political party over another, the King dismissed such labels with humour.

“Sometimes they say I am NDC; the next time they say I am NPP,” he remarked. “I like it and would even add that I am CPP. I do this to ensure there is peace in Ghana.”

The comment drew laughter and applause from the audience, highlighting Asantehene’s reputation as a unifying national figure.

The Asantehene recounted his close working relationships with every President since former President Jerry John Rawlings.

According to him, he worked with Rawlings from 1999 and subsequently offered counsel to Presidents John Agyekum Kufuor, the late Prof. John Evans Atta Mills, John Dramani Mahama during his first tenure, and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

He disclosed that he is once again working closely with President John Dramani Mahama following his return to office.

“My conviction is that any government elected by the people of Ghana, I have to work with the President and offer him my advice quietly,” Otumfuo declared to loud applause.

“I work with whoever Ghanaians elect as President. I am now working with Mahama,” he added.

The Asantehene stressed that his loyalty is to Ghana and its people, not to any political party.

Otumfuo’s visit to Toronto forms part of a wider engagement in Canada aimed at promoting trade, investment, green energy initiatives and institutional partnerships.

He also urged Ghanaians living abroad to remain connected to their cultural heritage and contribute meaningfully to Ghana’s development.

“Ghana is open for business, open for tourism and open for collaboration,” the Asantehene declared, calling on the diaspora to play a greater role in building the nation.