OTUMFUO ASANTEHENE AND ASANTEMAN MOURN WITH THE FORMER PRESIDENT OF WORLD BANK GROUP ON THE DEMISE OF HIS WIFE.
Mr. James D. Wolfensohn, former President of the Word Bank Group, will forever be remembered by Asanteman and Ghana as a whole so it came as no surprise when His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, in a recent letter sent his heartfelt condolence to him and his family on the passing on to glory of their wife and mother, Mrs. Elaine Wolfensohn.
Mrs. Wolfensohn, 82, a former teacher with 40 years of experience in education and arts education and an advocate for children, gender and equity joined her ancestors on August 19, 2020 at a hospital in New York City. The cause of her death was cancer as revealed by her son, Adam Wolfensohn.
In a letter to his dear friend and brother sighted by Opemsuo.com, Otumfuo Asantehene said he was profoundly touched by the passing of Mrs. Wolfensohn and on behalf of Lady Julia and Asanteman, extended to Mr. Wolfensohn and his family his most sincere condolence.
His Majesty further noted that “it is only few weeks ago that I was on the phone with her, reflecting on how the COVID-19 pandemic had aborted plans for a renewed visit to Wyoming this year. I can still feel the warmth in her voice and the unfailing courtesy and sincerity which were her hallmarks. How sad that this should be the last I would be hearing from the woman who has come to be the bedrock on which my great friend has been carried over years.”
Asantehene again pointed out that “I consider it a privilege to have known and felt her warmth and unfailing courtesy, her dignity and wise counsel and above all, the indomitable spirit and love of humanity.
Opemsuo Osei Tutu Ababio concluded that “Lady Julia and the whole of Asanteman join me in sharing your grief and pray that the good Lord will strengthen and console you, my dear James, and keep you safe.”
Mr. Wolfensohn, former President of the World Bank Group, remains a bosom friend and a brother to His Majesty Otumfuo Asantehene.
He was very instrumental in facilitating the cancellation of Ghana’s debt of about $4 billion and the World Bank grant to Asanteman.
Under the project entitled “Promoting Partnerships with Traditional Authorities Project (PPTAP)”, new schools were built, old ones renovated and teachers and residential quarters built with facilities for portable water and electricity supply.
Under the Promoting Partnerships with Traditional Authorities Project (PPTAP), HIV/AIDS and general health campaign in cooperation with state agencies featured prominently. Traditional leaders were put into a new learning process to lead their people in community development programmes and created awareness of the value of cultural heritage, including art and artifacts, as well as traditional court systems in conflict resolution.
Source: Opemsuo.com/News Desk
