Former Asante Kotoko chairman Herbert Mensah has stated emphatically that it is not the responsibility of the club’s life patron, His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, to invest in the club, stressing that such responsibility lies with the club’s leadership.
His remarks follow Kotoko’s visit to the Manhyia Palace on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, where the team officially presented the 2024/25 FA Cup trophy to Otumfuo after defeating Golden Kick FC to claim their 10th FA Cup title.
Mensah, who led the club from 1999 to 2002, was part of the delegation that made the courtesy call. During his tenure, Kotoko won the FA Cup and came close to winning the CAF Winners Cup, narrowly losing to Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca in the final.
Speaking passionately during the presentation, Mensah hailed Otumfuo’s spiritual and symbolic influence on the club but urged stakeholders not to rely on the monarch for financial backing.
“Everywhere you go, there’s greatness in Kotoko because of Otumfuo,” he said. “Too many people forget — they think it’s just football. But Kotoko is more than football; it represents the spirit of Asanteman. If you’re only playing football, then you’re playing for the wrong team.”
He added,
“Otumfuo has dreams bigger than you can imagine. When I travel the world, everyone talks about Asante Kotoko, and immediately, they speak about Otumfuo.”
Mensah stressed that the life patron has already contributed immensely to the club, but reiterated that the true duty to invest lies with those in charge of running the club.
“Otumfuo has invested. But it’s not his job to invest in Kotoko. It is the responsibility of those who hold the mantle. It is an honour and a privilege to lead Kotoko — and that honour comes with responsibility.”
Asante Kotoko are preparing for their campaign in the 2025/26 CAF Confederation Cup, following their domestic cup success, with fans and administrators alike hopeful of restoring continental glory to the club.
