Otumfuo@25: The “Extraordinary” Woman Behind the King
On this day, as the world celebrates the King of the Asante Kingdom on his outstanding achievements and success, there is the need to recognize one person he calls an “extraordinary pillar” in the discharge of his duties- Her Royal Highness Lady Julia Osei Tutu.
The honourable woman has proven and made true the saying that “behind every successful man, there is a woman”.
She also perfectly fits the biblical definition of a virtuous woman as stipulated in Proverbs 31:10-12 which reads: “Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.”
During an interview with Graphic in 2019, the 16th Monarch of the Asante Kingdom, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, praised his wife as “extraordinary” as he explained the demand that comes with holding the office.
“My wife is an extraordinary pillar,” His Majesty is quoted as saying by Graphic.
He added, “Being Asantehene is demanding and you need to have a wife who understands you.”
The presence and role of Lady Julia counts and come into play as he said his role deprives him of adequate moments with his family.
“The only day that I have some time to attend to my family is Saturday, but even then people sometimes come to my residence for various reasons,” he said.
Profile
Lady Julia had her secondary school education at Wesley Girls’ High School, Cape Coast. In 1989 she entered the Faculty of Law, University of Ghana, Legon, where she obtained a Bachelor of Law Degree, LL.B (Hons.) in 1992 and continued at the Ghana School of Law, Accra, where she completed the Professional Law Course and was called to the Ghana Bar in 1994.
In September 1995, Lady Julia was admitted to postgraduate studies at Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada, and obtained a Master of Laws (LL.M) in International Humanitarian Law, after which she served as an intern with Amnesty International’s United Nations Office in New York.
In 1998 she joined Ecobank Ghana Limited as a Legal/Corporate Affairs Officer. She was until March 2002, secretary to the National Partnership for Children’s Trust, Ghana.
