The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, attests to the saying that behind every successful man stands a strong and wise woman.
He elaborated in an interview on how his queen, Lady Julia, has been instrumental in his reign as a monarch.
During the commemoration of his 20-year reign on the Golden Stool, the Asantehene, in an exclusive interview with Graphic Online, delineated the sacrifices and roles his queen, Lady Julia, undertook to ensure his success.
Despite the weighty responsibilities of his position as occupant of the Golden Stool, which limit his time with his family, Lady Julia remains steadfastly supportive, serving as an extraordinary pillar to him, as stated by the Asantehene himself.
“My wife is an extraordinary pillar. Being Asantehene is demanding, and you need to have a wife who understands you,” remarked the Asantehene.
He further noted, “The only day that I have some time to attend to my family is Saturday, but even then, people sometimes come to my residence for various reasons.”
Lady Julia is actively involved in ceremonial duties as the wife of the Asantehene and spearheads several projects initiated by the Manhyia Palace. Among these endeavors are:
Serwaa Ampem Foundation:
Lady Julia leads the Serwaa Ampem Foundation, a non-governmental organization named after Otumfuo’s late mother, the late Asantehemaa, Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem II. The foundation focuses on children infected with HIV/AIDS and family planning. It operates under the Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Charity Foundation (OOCTF), where Lady Julia chairs the Board of Trustees.
Otumfuo Mobile Dental Project and Serwaa Ampem Orphanage of Wheels:
Under Lady Julia’s guidance, the Serwaa Ampem Foundation has established the Otumfuo Mobile Dental Project and the Serwaa Ampem Orphanage of Wheels. These initiatives provide vehicles to transport health professionals to villages for dental services for the local populace and orphans, all at no cost. According to recent reports, over 150,000 children and young people have benefited from these initiatives.
Advocacy for disease prevention programs:
Lady Julia actively advocates for healthcare promotion, particularly in disease prevention programs such as HIV, tuberculosis, immunization, and malaria. She collaborates with organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Bank, and the Ghana Health Service to pioneer work in Mother-to-Child Prevention of HIV. This includes sensitization workshops for 560 traditional leaders and community durbars in the Ashanti and former Brong Ahafo Regions.