Otumfuo Osei Tutu II was reportedly close to Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah when he was a child
Acclaimed historian, Yaw Anokye Frimpong, has given a historical background to the role Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, played in the upbringing of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
Speaking in a recent interview on Max TV, on May 14, 2025, Anokye Frimpong disclosed that the Asantehene and Ghana’s first president had a unique son-and-father relationship.
He indicated that the Asantehene was introduced to Dr Kwame Nkrumah when he was a young child by one of his advisers, the Paramount Chief of Sefwi-Wiawso, Nana Aduhene, who was the caretaker of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
“Otumfuo was very close to Dr Kwame Nkrumah. I’m sure people will be wondering how someone born in 1950 would be close to Kwame Nkrumah, who gained independence for Ghana in 1957 and was overthrown in 1966.
“The truth is that Kwame Nkrumah became the Leader of Government Business in 1951. So, he was a leader from 1951 till he was removed in 1966. One of the advisers of Kwame Nkrumah was the Paramount Chief of Sefwi-Wiawso, Nana Aduhene.
“The current Otumfuo (Barima Kwaku Duah) was staying with this chief (Nana Aduhene). This chief was grooming him (Barima Kwaku Duah) to take the stool (to be Asantehene). So, anywhere he went, he took him along,” the historian narrated.
He stated that Dr Nkrumah used to play with the Asantehene anytime he was brought to the Flagstaff House by Nana Aduhene.
He added that the Asantehene and Dr Nkrumah’s firstborn son, Gamal Nkrumah, also became close and played with each other like they were siblings.
“So, when he took him (the current Otumfuo) to the Flagstaff House, Kwame Nkrumah would take him and put him on his lap. So, Dr Nkrumah really liked Otumfuo when he was a child.
“History also has that Nkrumah married Fathia on the last day of 1957. The following year, he had his firstborn, Gamal. When Barima Kwaku Duah, who is now Nana Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, went to the Flagstaff House, he played with Gamal as if he were his junior brother. So, Nana knew Nkrumah very well,” he said.
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