I Don’t Take Your Honour Lightly; Asantehene to UCC
Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has expressed his profound gratitude to the leadership of the University of Cape Coast (UCC) for the decision to honour him with an honorary doctorate degree.
Addressing the leadership of the institution during a dinner organized by the Chancellor, Sir Sam Jonah, Otumfuo noted that he does not take the honour lightly.
“I owe you gratitude; the Chancellor, the Vice Chancellor and all those who took the decision to honour me here. I don’t take the honour lightly at all. I received it yesterday with humility.”
Otumfuo dedicated the honorary to traditional authorities within his kingdom, indicating that they have been a reliable backbone in his reign.
“To Nananom, I received this yesterday {Thursday} because you made it so. 25 years of your support made it possible for us to be recognized by this university and therefore the award was received in your honour. And to all those who supported us through this journey, I thank you also for your support and I still will count on you to give me the guidance and the support to be able to be a good leader for you and serve in humility and also with integrity and to be truthful to you and to God.”
He looks forward to continuing the good leadership he has exhibited in the past 25 years with the help of his maker.
“It’s the lord God who gives me the direction. He should give me the courage to face any human being with the truth and be very honest with every person that I come across.”
His Majesty further expressed confidence in the leadership of Sir Sam Jonah over the University and committed himself to monitoring developments in the institution.
“I believe strongly that this university with proper leadership in the hands of my brother will go further up. We have to maintain the standards. Education is the key to the development of every country and therefore universities are the fountain of knowledge that we draw from.
“Having honoured me, I have become part of it and therefore I am also going to monitor the development here. I am confident that my brother the chancellor will keep me informed about whatever happens here and whatever we can do in support of this university will be done.”
The dinner was held at the National Examination Centre of the institution on September 6, 2024. It was attended by Asante traditional leaders, the management of the school and the former Vice Chancellor, Prof Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang.
The UCC held an event on September 5, 2024, to confer on the Asantehene an honorary doctorate degree in recognition of his meritorious and distinguished service to Ghana.
