Unexpected gesture on stage: Dr. Apaak hails Asantehene’s humility 

Deputy Education Minister, Dr. Clement Apaak, has praised the humility of Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II following an unexpected gesture at a school event.

The Builsa South MP recounted his first-ever encounter with the Asantehene during the 75th Speech and Prize Giving Day of T.I. Ahmadiyya Senior High School in Kumasi on March 28, 2026.

Dr. Apaak described the moment as deeply personal, noting his long-standing admiration for the revered traditional ruler.

“I’ve long admired Asantehene, so you can imagine my level of excitement when I greeted him,” he said, adding that the King’s warm response immediately stood out.

According to him, the highlight of the encounter came when event organisers proposed that he shorten his speech to allow the Asantehene to address the gathering due to time constraints.

However, Otumfuo declined the suggestion and insisted that the Deputy Minister proceed with his full remarks.

“My son, present your speech in full. I will no longer speak. I want to hear everything you have to say,” Dr. Apaak quoted the Asantehene as saying.

The gesture, he stressed, left a lasting impression on him.

“It’s only humility that can explain his decision to decline addressing the gathering so that I could present my speech in full,” he noted.

True to his word, the Asantehene remained seated and listened attentively until Dr. Apaak completed his address.

The two later joined other dignitaries, including the Ameer of the Ahmadiyya Mission and Ashanti Regional Minister Dr. Frank Amoakohene, to cut the anniversary cake and commission a girls’ dormitory.

Reflecting on the experience, Dr. Apaak linked the moment to broader life lessons.

“Education is the most powerful transformative force, and humility is the true mark of greatness,” he stated.

He added that the encounter reinforced his belief in the value of education and leadership grounded in modesty, describing the experience as both “exciting and thought-provoking.”