The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Christian Tetteh Yohuno, has hailed the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, as the “King Solomon” of our time, commending his outstanding contributions to peacebuilding, conflict resolution, and national development.
The praise came during a courtesy visit by the Asantehene to the Police Headquarters in Accra on January 6.
“As the Chief Constable of this country, I must commend Your Majesty and highlight your role in peacebuilding and conflict resolution, which has had a profound impact on national security,” IGP Yohuno stated.
He lauded the monarch’s exceptional mediation skills, which he said have restored calm and unity in areas plagued by tension and division.
“Your exceptional mediation skills, which have restored peace in numerous conflicts across our nation, compel me to describe you as the King Solomon of our time. Your wisdom, patience, and moral authority have brought calm where tensions once prevailed and unity where divisions once threatened our peace,” the IGP added.
Highlighting specific accomplishments, Mr. Yohuno pointed to Otumfuo’s leadership of the Committee of Eminent Chiefs, which resolved the longstanding Dagbon chieftaincy crisis and brought enduring peace to the region.
He also commended the Asantehene’s interventions in Yendi and the protracted Bawku conflict, noting that the practical recommendations from these efforts continue to inform security operations.
“Today, the relative calm in Bawku has significantly enhanced policing efforts and strengthened community confidence,” he said.
The IGP emphasized the vital role of chiefs as custodians of land, culture, and customs in upholding law and order.
In this context, he praised Otumfuo’s personal involvement in resolving land and chieftaincy disputes in the Ashanti region, which have restored order, reduced violence, and improved policing efficiency.
“It is well noted that chiefs, as custodians of land, culture, and customs, remain indispensable partners in maintaining law and order. In this regard, Your Majesty, you have personally intervened in land and chieftaincy disputes in the Ashanti region, restoring sanity, reducing violence, and making policing more effective,” Mr. Yohuno remarked.
Additionally, he highlighted the Asantehene’s firm stance against illegal mining, underscoring the enduring importance of traditional leadership in tackling contemporary security issues.
Beyond security matters, the IGP applauded Otumfuo’s significant contributions to national development through humanitarian initiatives and education programs.
“Beyond peace and security, your contribution to national development is monumental. Through your humanitarian support, particularly the Otumfuo Education Fund, thousands of vulnerable but brilliant students across Ghana have received the opportunity to pursue education,” he said.