Accra, 22 April, GNA - The Young Professionals and Youth Coalition Initiative (YPYC) on Wednesday congratulated Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene for being a real mentor and a true transformational leader worthy of emulation since his coronation 10 years ago. A statement the National President of YPYC, Mr Andy Osei Okrah signed, said Otumfuo Osei Tutu has brought honour, dignity and exemplary traditional leadership to the Asante Kingdom and Ghana as a whole.

"We the young people and future leaders have seen a traditional King in this 21st century, who had a defined vision before his enthronement and thus blending tradition and modernism without losing the spirit of the rich culture," YPYC said. The statement, which was issued in commemoration of the 10th anniversary of Otumfuo Osei Tutu's ascending the Golden Stool, commended him for his involvement in brokering peace and engendering stability, democratic governance and the overall development of Ghana. The statement noted that Otumfuo Osei Tutu did not only spend his resources and precious time in Ashanti Region alone but extended it to other regions in Ghana and thus endearing himself to many at home and abroad, and hence making world leaders and kings of other nations to foster friendship and partnership with him.

YPYC, an association of young professional, praised Otumfuo for his numerous initiatives on education; international relations; health care; resolution of chieftaincy disputes; socio-economic and ICT development and the protection of the environment.

The statement listed some of the initiatives to include; the Otumfuo Education Fund, which it described as one of his greatest achievements, saying the Fund has brought many benefits to Ghanaian brilliant but needy students and given hope to the hopeless. The others are the Traditional Authorities-World Bank Partnership; Otumfuo Water Project and Osei Tutu Fund, which provides monetary and material support for the reduction of maternal and infant mortality; glaucoma and Buruli ulcer among other disease. The members of YPYC pledged to emulate Otumfuo Osei Tutu by serving humanity.