The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, was born on 6th May,1950. His name at birth was Barima Kwaku Duah, having been named after his paternal grandfather, Ohenenana Kwaku Duah (Nana Agari), Brahyiahene, who hailed from Kantinkyiren in the Atwima District in the Ashanti Region.
Otumfuo is the 3rd son and the 5th child of his mother, the late Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem II, Asantehemaa, who was blessed by Almighty God with three sons and two daughters.
His two elder brothers, Barima Kwabena Poku and Barima Akwasi Prempeh and his younger sister Nana Ama Serwaa predeceased him, leaving him with his surviving elder sister, Nana Ama Konadu (currently the 14th Asanteheemaa, Nana Konadu Yiadom III)
Otumfuo’s father
Otumfuo’s father was Ohenenana Kwame Boakye Dankwa, who also hailed from the village of Kantinkyiren in the Atwima District in the Ashanti Region. Ohenenana Boakye Dankwa succeeded his father, Nana Kwaku Duah Agari, as Brahyiahene.
At age five, Otumfuo was placed under the guardianship of his uncle, Oheneba Mensah Bonsu, who had been enstooled as Hiahene in 1952. This was to secure his proper upbringing and to school him in royal conduct.
Otumfuo’s primary education began in Kumasi and subsequently continued in 1964 at Sefwi Wiawso Secondary School in the Western North Region, under the tutelage of the Omanhene of Sefwi Wiawso, the late Nana Kwadwo Aduhene II, a cousin of Oheneba Mensah Bonsu, Hiahene.
Otumfuo’s secondary education was followed by Accountancy studies in 1971 at the then Institute of Professional Studies, (now University of Professional Studies, Accra). Opportunity knocked for Otumfuo to proceed to the United Kingdom to continue his tertiary education at the London Metropolitan University, from where he graduated in Human Resources Management and Public Administration.
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