Kumasi, April 5, GNA - Baroness Valerie Amos, Head of the British House of Lords, on Wednesday commended Otumfuo Osei Tutu 11, the Asantehene, for his leadership role especially in the areas of education, health, environment and cultural heritage.

She said Otumfuo had demonstrated exceptional leadership and portrayed the unique traditions and culture of the Asante people to the outside world.

Baroness Amos was speaking at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi during a courtesy call on the Asantehene.

Mr Sampson Kwaku Boafo, Ashanti Regional Minister and Mrs Gifty Afenyi-Dadzie, a member of the Council of State, accompanied her. Oheneba Adusei Poku, the Akyempinhene, who briefed the Baroness on the achievements of Otumfuo, said the Otumfuo Education Fund had so far benefited over 4,000 school children across the country from the basic to the tertiary levels.

He said about 44 school blocks, libraries and teachers' bungalows had been constructed under the Promoting Partnership with Traditional Authorities (PPTA), which was being funded by a grant from the World Bank.

Baroness Amos had earlier called on the Ashanti Regional Minister, where she stressed the closer relationship that existed between Britain and Ghana.