2024 OCRC Finalists Meet Asantehene
The five finalists of the 2024 edition of the Otumfuo Community Reading Challenge (OCRC), an English and Twi reading competition, have met the King of the Asante Kingdom, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
The grand finale of the reading challenge organized by the non-governmental organization of the Asantehene, took place in September.
Francis Osei Boamah, representative of Boamang Community won the competition after a fierce contest against Salamatu Issah, representative of Mankranso Community, Maame Twumwaa Antwi Baffour, the representative of Feyiase Community, Akua Amankwaa, the representative of Twedie Community and Freda Mensah Acheampong, the Mampong Community.
The five led by Nana Prof Oheneba Boachie-Adjei Woahene II, Otumfuo Hiahene were introduced to the King during the observation of the Awukudae Festival on February 12, 2025, at the Manhyia Palace.
Introducing them individually before the Asantehene, the Chairman of the Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Foundation (OOTIIF) gave a briefing on the project.
“We undertake a lot of projects but the last project we ran last year was the Otumfuo Community Reading Challenge which has been running for the past four years for Junior High School. We deem reading to be a very important aspect of education. All fields demand reading.
“Last year, we went to 60 Districts where we had 5,000 students participating. That was reduced to 1,000 and subsequently to five finalists. The five competed at the Jubilee Hall. All five are here to be introduced to Otumfuo. It has become a very significant academic event. The winner is given a scholarship to the University level after SHS.”
Sponsors
In his remarks, he listed Nana Tredehene, Nana Konahene, Nana Feyiasehene, Nana Nkwantakesehene, Nana Kunsuhene, Nana Manso Nkwantahemaa, Nana Oyokohene, Nana Asafohene, Nana Toasehene as traditional leaders who have supported the competition.
Other corporate sponsors include AngloGold, Twellium and Kitty Properties
Extension
Otumfuo Hiahene also disclosed plans to extend the competition beyond the Ashanti Region.
“We started in the Ashanti Region but we plan to extend it to the Ahafo and Bono so that it becomes a competition for Asanteman.”
Upcoming Event
On the 25th day of April, the Foundation will host an event to raise an endowment fund and publicly honour their sponsors at the Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Jubilee Hall at the Manhyia Palace.
Nana Hiahene thereby requested that the King graced it.
“It’s been 25 years since the Otumfuo Foundation formerly the Otumfuo Education Fund was founded. Not many people know what we do. We do a lot and not all is captured on the internet so we wanted to host a Festival at the Jubilee Hall. We request that Otumfuo grace it.”
Throwing light on the establishment of an endowment fund, he said it would enable the Foundation to grant scholarships to as many applicants as possible as well as ensure its sustainability.
“This year, we are sponsoring 20 students at KNUST and there are a lot of applications too. We need money to do these so we want to establish an endowment fund of GH¢10 million to undertake an investment and use the interests to help and run our programmes.”
Source: opemsuo.com/Hajara Fuseini
