Osei tutu biography
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But the advancing Asante army was ambushed as it crossed the Pra River. Later, in about 1698, he launched a four-year campaign against the Denkyera, the chief rivals of the Asante, defeating them first at a battle of Feyiase, in 1701, and then finally defeating them at a battle on the Ofin River in the same year. Among the spoils of victory was the Note for Elmina castle.
Osei Tutu II succeeded to the throne of the 16th Asantehene on 26th April 1999 on the demise of his uncle Otumfuo Opoku Ware II.
He was trained for royalty since the age of five by his uncle, Hiahene Oheneba Mensah Bonsu. In addition to Okomfo Anokye, his principal advisers were the amanhene (paramount chiefs) and the asafohene (military captains) of Kumase.
He also played Ramabanquo in Pieter-Dirk Uys’ MacBeki.
On screen, Mpho has starred in TV shows, films and commercials. His name is still venerated.
PHOTO CAPTION: Osei Tutu. Osei Tutu was born, being named after the god of the shrine.
The second legend relates that Obiri Yeboa sent his nephew to the Denkyera court for training but, as a result of a love affair with the sister of the Denkyerahene (ruler of Denkyera) he was obliged to flee to Akwamu, a state that was then located to the north of Accra.
He regarded himself as first among equals in his dealings with the amanhene, who owed him certain obligations but also had certain rights. Some accounts state that the Akwamuhene provided him with an armed escort.
In Asante he made use of the experience he had gained in political and military organisation while in Akwamu and Denkyera to weld the loose Asante kinship groups into a nation.
His portrayal of multiple roles in Wajdi Mouawad’s Scorched earned him a Best Actor nomination at the 2017 Naledis and he was part of the 2013 Naledi Best Play ensemble of Moliere’s The Miser. The foundation has also recognized thousands of teachers with an award scheme.
Health, Infrastructure & Social Impact
Apart from scholarships, his foundation has funded important health programs like the "Heal Komfo Anokye" program for KATH hospital.
He holds a B.A. (Hons) in Dramatic Art from Wits University, where he majored in Performance, Television and Screenwriting and is a familiar actor on the South African stage and screen.
On stage, Mpho has performed in Mike van Graan’s When Swallows Cry (2018 Naledi Awards Best Play). It was in Akwamu, too, that he met and became friendly with Okomfo Anokye, who later became his adviser and associate.
He attended Sefwi Wiawso Secondary School and Osei Kyeretwie Secondary School in Kumasi. He has been on the following SAFTA winning teams: Thuli no Thulani (2019 Best Writing in a Comedy), Ga Re Dumele (2016 Best Directing in a Comedy), Check Coast (2015 Best Writing in a Comedy) and Rhythm City (2009 Best Writing in a Soap).
He has also sanctioned chiefs who involved themselves in the illegal sale of land, enhancing the accountability of traditional leaders.
Global Presence and Roles
He is the chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Kumasi. One states that his uncle, Obiri Yeboa, the Kwamanhene (ruler of Kwaman now Kumase ), had only one sister who was childless and therefore had not given him an heir (the succession passing to a nephew).
The chief of Mampon to the west, who belonged to the Bretuo clan, was accepted into the union as the second most important person in Asante. He was hit by two bullets, the second of which killed him, and his body was washed away, never to be recovered.
He was part of the cast of the MTN Radio Award Winning radio Radio Vuka.
He is also an award winning screenwriter, a director and a producer with sitcom, drama and talk show credits to his name.