The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has cautioned young people against admiring wealth blindly without questioning the source from which it was acquired.
According to the revered traditional ruler, the growing obsession with flashy lifestyles and overnight riches among the youth is gradually eroding values of honesty, hard work, and integrity in society.
Speaking during a public engagement, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II stressed that wealth should not only be measured by luxury and social status, but also by the legitimacy and dignity attached to how it was earned.
He noted that many young people today are under pressure to become rich quickly due to social media influence and public glorification of extravagant lifestyles. However, he warned that chasing wealth without principles could lead many into criminal activities and unethical behavior.
The Asantehene urged the youth to focus on education, discipline, entrepreneurship, and patience, insisting that genuine success takes time and commitment.
“Do not admire wealth without asking how it was made,” he advised, adding that society must begin celebrating people who build their success through hard work and lawful means rather than individuals whose sources of wealth remain questionable.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II further encouraged parents, religious leaders, and community elders to guide young people with strong moral values to help protect the future of the country.
He also called on influential figures in society to lead by example, saying the youth often imitate what they see from public personalities and successful individuals.
His remarks have sparked conversations among many Ghanaians, especially on social media, where concerns about the rise of materialism and pressure on young people to “make it” at all costs continue to grow.
