Osahene OfeiKWASI AGYEMANIVAkuapem Kurontihene

KURONTIodwira 2014

AT THE FORECOURT OF THE KURONTI PALACE,

AKROPONG AKUAPEM

13MONTHOCT. ‘1419

SUNTHOCT.

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Osahene OfeiKWASI AGYEMANIVAkuapem Kurontihene

KURONTIodwira 2014

AT THE FORECOURT OF THE KURONTI PALACE,

AKROPONG AKUAPEM

13MONTHOCT. ‘1419

SUNTHOCT.

AND THE AKUAPEM KURONTI DIVISION WELCOME YOU TO THE

Osahene Ofei KWASI AGYEMAN IV

Senior D iv is iona l Ch ie f & Kuront ihene of Akuapem

02

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Annual Message

ur traditional practices

Ohave served to cloud our

attention to the menace

of child labour in our society.

Many parents have forced their

school going children to join them

in their day-to-day economic

activities and end up jeorpadising

their education. Coupled with this

is the tendency of some parents of

offering underage daughters into

early marriages which end up

disrupting the children’s education.

TEENAGE PREGNANCIES

Lack of close parental supervision

in the homes also breeds immoral

behavior on the part of children.

Our local clinics are currently

loaded with several young ladies

needing medical care and without

fathers to provide parental

support. The negative impact that

this situation presents on the

future of the unborn children is

tremendous.

SEXUAL ABUSE

Another area needing attention is

the sexual abuse that some

children suffer in the hands of their

own fathers. The sad thing about

this situation is that the

perpetrators of this abuse mostly

escape punishment, thus allowing

the abuse to continue for a long

time.

Akuapem

Kronti Odwira

Festival 2014

04

VOCATIONAL AND SKILLS

TRAINING

There is a general shortfall in

vocational and skills training

schools which works against

producing employable youth in the

labour market. Some effort has

been made recently to set up

Secondary Technical schools but the

numbers are too few. The area of

agriculture, which represents the

future ‘Go to ‘ economic sector, in

my view, has not received the

attention it deserves in terms of

providing skills training for the

future employment of our youth.

SOLUTIONS TO THE CHALLENGES

The challenges mentioned in this

annual message are complex and

diverse. We cannot lay blame on

one segment of society as being the

perpetrator of all these ills. Neither

can we pinpoint the entity or

individuals who on their own can

provide the answers and solutions

to the challenges identified.

Tackling the challenges will have to

involve many individuals and

entities. The Government, parents,

Churches, traditional leaders, civil

society, youth organizations,

corporate bodies, non-profit

organizations and many other

segments of society will all have to

get involved in assuming their role

in contributing to providing

solutions.

We are happy that the Government

saw it fit to establish a separate

Ministry to handle this important

sector. Judging from what is

reported in the media, the effort

being made by the Ministry is

yielding dividends. It is our hope

that you will succeed in your

endeavour to find solutions to all

the challenges facing the

development and empowerment of

our children. Our future depends

upon the success of your efforts.

05

Hon. Antwi-Boasiako SekyereEastern Regional Minister

Special Dignitaries

Nana Oye LithurMinister for Gender,

Children and Social Protection06

between the hinterland tribes and the

Danes and other Europeans who had made

a beachhead on the coast of Accra by the

middle of 17th century.

This era, according to authentic historical

accounts, was marked by the dominance of

the Akwamus, and that the Akwamus power

had its beginning in the Western boundaries

of Akyem where they had built themselves

into an empire centered upon the upper

reaches of Birim and Densu rivers. Ofei

Kwasi Agyeman being a member of the

Akwamu empire is believed to have spent

some time at Bososo near Begoro in Akyem

Abuakwa with his people. A source

attributed to Mr. F. Crowther of the colonial

Service in 1915 makes reference to “The

Akan Kamena stools of Akuapem” pointing

to a number of Akwamu chiefs who had

migrated to the Akuapem areas and were

regarded as the rulers prior to the arrival of

the Akims. Those of the Akan Kamena Stools

included Adontenhene at Akropong

(referring to Kuronti), the second

Adontenhene at Aburi, and Atweasi now

merged in Aburi. The Ofei Kwasi Agyeman

Kuronti stool emerged from this dynasty.

The first recorded encounter with Ofei Kwasi

Agyeman was during his later life among

the highland communities of the Guans and

Kyerepons. During this time, the ‘hill tribes’

were being subjected to many unspeakable

acts of cruelty and depredation. A number

of campaigns launched to break the

Akwamu yoke of brutality ended up in

failure, and only served to bring down

harsher punitive sanctions. The historic

decision to turn to Akyem Abuakwa to seek

help in driving out the Akwamus was

believed to be the brainchild of Ofei Kwasi

Agyeman. In view of the fact that he had

lived among the natives and had

participated in earlier campaigns against the

Akwamus, the commander of the Akyem

forces placed Ofei Kwasi Agyeman and his

forces in the first line of attack.

The acts of bravery of these men were

legendary causing historians to refer to the

story of Ofei Kwasi Agyeman and his ‘seven

guns; When the Abotakyi Accord was signed

and the Akuapem State was formed, the

performance of Ofei Kwasi Agyeman and his

Kamena warriors did not go unrewarded. In

the distribution of offices, apparently made

along military lines, the new king of

Akuapem appointed Ofei Kwasi Agyeman as

the first Adontenhene, with his stool at

Akropong and second in ranking to the

king. The designation and the official title

was amended to that of Kurontihene of

Akuapem in 1934.

he history of Kuronti division cannot be recounted without Ttracing the life of Ofei Kwasi Agyeman, the patriarch of the

Amoakade family of Akropong, who is the first occupant of

the Kuronti stool, and one of the architects of the Abotakyi Accord.

As a young man, he was known to possess a shrewd business

acumen and which he combined ‘native intelligence’ to visualize

the immense opportunities presented by the ongoing trade History of Kuronti Division

07

Name Period Year(s)

NanaOfeiKwasiAgyemanI 1728-1744 16

NanaAyeKissiBrentri 1744-1750 6

NanaManteYaw 1750-1765 15

NanaAduobe 1765-1775 10

NanaOfeiheneI 1775-1800 25

NanaAtiemo 1800-1823 23

NanaKofiKra(Diedinexile) 1824-1845 21

NanaBoafoPanyin 1845-1870 25

NanaBoafoAnsahI 1870-1890 20

NanaBoafoAsanteI 1890-1904 14

NanaOfeiKwasiAgyemanII 1904-1914 10

NanaYawBoafo(Abdicated) 1914-1934 20

NanaOfeiKwasiAgyemanIII 1934-1949 15

NanaKofiBoafo(Destooled) 1949-1952 3

NanaBoafoAsanteII 1953-1956 4

NanaOfeiheneII 1956-1963 7

NanaBoafoAnsahII 1966-1999 35

OsaheneOfeiKwasiAgyemanIV Since1999

NanaBoafoAsanteII

NanaOffeiheneII

NanaBoafoAnsahII

PAST SUCCESSIVE KURONTI CHIEFS

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Hon. William Ofori BoafoMP Akropong

Hon. George Opare AddoAkuapem North MCE

Sp

ec

ial

Dig

nit

ari

es

Sp

ec

ial

Dig

nit

ari

es

09

Nana IIKurontiheea and Senior Divisional

Queen Mother (Akuapem)

10

Addo KwaataOsafohene

11

11

sahene Offei Kwasi Agyeman IV Owas born on 4th November, 1942 and after his primary and

high school education opted, unknowing to his parents and family, to pursue a career in the Ghana Armed Forces in 1961. His mother considered a career as a soldier unsuitable for a royal and attempted to personally get him out of the military but failed. Osahene, then known as Emmanuel Ayeh-Bampoe, considerd the early stint in the Army as an opportunity to earn his independence early and build himself a good foundation for the rest of his life.

Osahene completed his initial training at the Ghana Military Academy in 1962, and was sent to the United Kingdom to do his young officers course at the Royal Air Force School of Accounting at Grantham where he obtained a certificate in Accounting.On return to Ghana, he served as an officer in various capacities, including command position at the Forces Pay Office and staff

positions at Paymaster General’s Office at the Ministry of Defence. In 1970, he was sent to do his Senior Staff Course at the U.S. Army School of Finance in Indianapolis, Indiana where he obtained a Diploma in Financial Management. Shortly after returning from the United States, in spite of promising career prospects, he voluntarily retired from the Army as a young Major.

Osahene immediately returned to the United States to pursue degree courses at Rutgers University in New Jersey. After attaining his Bachelors Degree in Economics and Finance in 1977 and Masters Degree in Management and Human Resources in 1979, he worked for a number of reputable International companies, including Metex Corporation, Siemens Corporation and AT&T.

Osahene’s exposure to chieftaincy started in April 1983 when he was installed as the Osafohene of the Kronti

Division and started his ‘apprenticeship’ under his uncle, Nana Boafo Ansah II, In Kronti Division it is a requirement for future Kronthenes to serve some form of apprenticeship to prepare them for their future traditional role and responsibilities. The training he received on traditional issues and practices helped him to appreciate the importance of truth and decency in all leadership roles, His uncle’s firmness and courage in the face of adversity and challenges has helped Osahene to cultivate those character attributes.

In 1999, Osahene formally returned to Ghana to succeed his uncle as Krontihene and Senior Divisional Chief of Akuapem Traditional Area. Osahene firmly believes that for any chief to be effective, he needs to change his perception that a chief’s preoccupation should be turf-building and personal aggrandizement. He has therefore aligned and cultivated friendship with like minded traditional and community

CONTINUATION OF A WINNING LEGACYBRIEF PROFILE OF THE CURRENT OCCUPANT OF THE KURONTI STOOL

12

leaders who strive to serve their communities and make life better for others. The term “modern chief” is gradually emerging in conversations, and is used (I think) to define traditional leaders who are more interested in pursuing activities geared towards serving their communities and the nation as a whole. Osahene’s aspiration is to join that fraternity and, for the sake of survival of the chieftaincy institution, to encourage all others to join.

Osahene believes that a modern chief should also function at workplaces in addition to the palace, and his role should transcend his traditional duties, True to that belief, Osahene, since becoming Krontihene, has worked as a General Manager at Enterprise Insurance Company and Executive Director of DFID (British Government sponsored) Mega NGO. He has also served on a number of boards and committees including Graphic Communications Group of Companies as its Chairman, Ghana Head of State Award Scheme as Trustee, Presbyterian

University Implementation Committee (Akuapem Campus) as its Chairman, School for the Blind at Akropong Akuapem as its Chairman, and more recently, a member of the Governing Council of the Akropong Presbyterian College of Education.

Osahene is grateful to, and very much appreciates, the sons and daughters of the community who have excelled in their various career endeavours. The Kronti Division has in our recent Odwira festivals acknowledged and honoured a number of them and intend to identify and honour some more. The ones already honoured and acknowledged include Rev George Opare Kwapong, Rev (Dr,) Daniel Nyante, Dr. Owusu Akuffo. Evangelist Atta Aboah Offei, Rev Charles Ansah Owusu, Dr. F. Akuffo, Hon. W.O. Boafo, Hon. Mercy Bampoe Addo, Dr. Owusu Barnafo, Mrs. Victoria Akoto Donkor, Mr, Adupre Awuku, Mr. Eric Bekoe, Justice Sophia Akuffo, Mr. Asare Akuffo, Hon. Gloria Akuffo, Mr.

Kingsley Osei, Dr. Reynolds Akyeampong, Mrs. Comfort Boohene, Mr.Kwaku Sakyi Addo, Mrs Esther Acquah, Mr Samuel Sarpong, among others.

Osahene believes that the future of our community very much depends upon the extent to which the more fortunate ones among us contribute and dedicate themselves to the support of the needy. He also believes that in the current situation of hopelessness and moral decay, a turn to God and Christian principles is a panacea for the problems of society. This is behind the Division’s collaboration with some of the church elements to celebrate the worship of God as significant part of our Odwira celebrations. Krontihene is eternally grateful to Christian leaders like Evangelist Abboa Offei, Rev Kwapong and Rev. Charles Ansah Owusu for leading the way. Osahene is married with three children and eight grandchildren.

13

THE GRAND DURBAR PROGRAMMESATURDAY, 18TH OCTOBER, 2014

Procession of Chief through the principal streets of Akropong - 11am

Chiefs, Elders and Guests get seated at the Durbar Grounds - 12 Noon

Guests of Honour, His Entourage and other VIP's arrive at Durbar Grounds and get seated after greeting Osahene. Music by Choir and Traditional Drumming provide prelude to the start of Durbar.

Opening Prayer: Presbyterian District Pastor/Chief Imam

Pouring of Traditional Libation

Introduction of Chairman & Other Dignitaries

Kurontihene's Welcome Address and Annual Message

Awards and Recognitions

Keynote Address - Nana Oye Lithur (Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection)

Musical Interlude - School for the Blind Choir

Goodwill Address by Regional Minister

The Launch of Kuronti Fund for Community Development by Special Guest Vote of Thanks and Closing.

14

Rev. Samuel Yeboah Antwi (Principal, P.C.E)

Rev. Charles Ansah OwusuAbundant Grace

Rev. George KwapongAkwapim Presbytery

Chairperson

Evang. Atta Aboah-Ofei and Wife, Faustina

Rev. I. D. AsareP.C.G, Christ Church

Rev. Kumi YeboahP.C.G, Peace Church

15

Odeneho Kwafo Akoto III

(Akwamumanhene)

16

DEVELOPMENTAL PROJECT RONTI Div is ion s t i l l Kstrives to be relevant as a progressive traditional

entity The Akuapem traditional s t r u c t u r e w a s i n i t i a l l y implemented to deal warfare and secur i ty of our s ta te . The belligerent atmosphere has given away to modern society that thrives on development and civilization for the traditional institution to remain relevant it has had to change its focus to policies and practices geared towards development of our community.

Education

Y o u t h d e v e l o p m e n t empowerment represents one of the most important areas of concern that needs constant attention. As indicated in my annual message, indiscipline and truancy as constantly been cited as one of the major problem areas facing society. It has been generally accepted that good education policies and practices represents a good antidote for

tackling the challenge.

Therefore right from the onset the division looked for ways to make a contribution in view of our limited resources, we considered it prudent to look for partners. the immediate result was formation of NGO with partners from A u s t r i a w h i c h s a w to t h e establishment of a scholarship system which has benefited, and continues to benefit, hundreds of our children in the basic and primary schools system we have also collaborated with united way Ghana to assist needy children in the community through provision of uniforms books and bags .

Supply of computers and furniture

We have also involved in the s u p p l y o f c o m p u te r s a n d f u r n i t u r e t o p r i m a r y a n d secondary schools in the area, here was acknowledge the support of our Austrians friends and progressives citizens like Kwame Owusu Danquah who arranged for shipment of many

valuable and quality items to support our schools and other institutions in the Traditional Area

Water supply

The Adami water supply system implemented by the division with the support of many groups of peop le and o rgan i za t ions continues to serve many of the households in the Akropong township and has been the most a ff o r d a b l e w a t e r i n t h e community. There is a plan to acquire additional boreholes to cater for the areas which are still deficient of good water to increase access to the water.

Internet and computer learning Center

With the help of help4Ghana partners, the Computer Learning Center in the Kuronti Palace has now been expanded into a full-fledged Internet Café and a Training Center. The Café has been operative for months and represents one of the best area in the area.

17

NANA ABENAA ODOWSOO II

SOME PROMINENT SONS AND DAUGHTERS

AYITEY COLEMANTown & Country Planning Officer, A.N.D.A

DR. ALBERT OWUSU BARNAFO

OHENEBA KWAME DIABENE APENTENG Chairman, Vector Haulage & Eng. Service

EMMANUEL OBENG

MRS. AKUA OWUSUA ADISIC.E.O - Universal Travel & Tours

Partner Tax & Regulatory Serv. - KPMG-Ghana

NANA POKUA DEKYI

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Felix Nana Sackey

Managing Partner,

Deloitte & Touche

Ghana

19

ABUSUAPANYIN OHENE KWASI SAFORO

OPANYIN OHENE BRIGTH

ABUSUAPANYIN OHENE ODURO

ODEHYE KWAKU AMANKWA

PROMINENT ELDERS

AMOAKADE

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Aberewatia GladysOkyerewa Osae Addo

SOME PROMINENTMEMBERS

Kwaku Osae Addo

Evelyn Kenin

Mr. S.K. Sarpong and wifeOfosu Appiah

Osae Addo

Ankobea Osae

Adwoa Boahemaa

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Kyidomhemea Akua Gyasiwa

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VICTORY INT. SCHOOLictory International School was Vfounded on 8th August 1988 by Nana Ofosu Addo I; Akuapem

Kuronti Tufohene, popularly known in private life as Mr. Edmund Nana Ofosu Atta Mills.

The school operates under registration number AMA/ED/PPA 032, and owing to its academic achievements, it has been nicknamed "JUNIOR UNIVERSITY". On the 2nd of August 1999, the parent school presented the first batch of students for the BECE examination all of whom passed with distinction. Since then, the school has maintained its standard as well as winning numerous competitions.

The Akropong branch (7th branch) was opened at Daakye near the clinic in the

year 2005 with a population of about 213 pupils and members of staff in the first term. The enrolment has risen above 350 pupils.

Nana's Advice to the YouthI encourage the youth to learn hard and to use their leisure times profitably because being a man is not determined by the many stories you can tell but by the many obstacles you have fought and won.

We shall all remember that we shall one day account for what we used our time and life for.

"There is no lasting glory won without struggle”Thank You.

C E L E B R A T I N G

th10 YRAA SN RENIV

NANA OFOSU ADDO I

of

A S K U R O N T I T U F U H E H E

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HUMILITY CLUB

MRS. BEATRICE RAUF

PRESIDENT

AKOSUA APASIWA AKUFFO

VICE PRESIDENT

BARBARA QAUHC0-FOUNDER TREASURER

CHARLOTTE KWAYISI

24

25

Ahenenanahene Osae AdadeDivision Secretary

SANAAHEMEA WIAH TIBU26

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Royal Chiefs of Kuronti Division

ABAKOMAHENE KROBEA ASANTE SANAAHENE TWUM BARIMA AKYEAMEHENE KWADWO AKYEAMPONG

APAGYAHENE ATIEMO KWABI DABEHENE ABOA OMENAKO NANA AYE AKUFFO

Akabuahene, Kuronti28

Royal Chiefs of Kuronti Division

GYASEHENE OFEI NKANSAH II KYIDOMHENE AKOTO KWAPONG I

SANAA OFORI IIOKUAPEHENE NSAFOAHENE

SPECIAL ADVISOR TO KURONTIHENE

MPONUAHENEKISSIEDU APPAU ANKOBEAHENE

TWUMASI DARKO

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GYASEHEMEA AKUA YIRENKYIWA

ODEHYE JULIANA AKUFFO

OKYEAME KWAME ASIEDUKURONTI DIVISION LINGUIST

OKYEAME KWAME YEBOAHOKYEAME KWASI AKOTO

KURONTI DIVISION LINGUIST

ANKOBEA OKROMEATUFUHEMEA YAA BOAHEMAA

NKONWASUAFOHENE OPARE SAFRO

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ODEHYE BARIMA A. YAW BARIMA KWAKU ANSAH ADI KWAKU

AYE KWABENAOKUAMPA ASARE ADDO KWAKU KWAKU ABOAGYEBARIMA KOFI ANAFI

JOE BANSONYOUTH ACTIVIST

31

Oh behalf of Kuronti Division of Akuapem, Osahene, Nana Oye, Chiefs and the entire

family wish you a “Happy 10th Anniversary”

May you live in healthier and your reign continue in Peace, Love, Unity and

Prosperity for the betterment of Akuapem.

Mponuahemea, Ye ma wo mo ne ye!Afehyia pa oo!!

MPONUAHEMEA SAKYIABEA

32

NANA KWAW KUTRUKU V

FRANKAAHENE OF AKUAPEM

NANA OTWE KAKRADAA II

FRAKATUHEMEA

NANA AFARI BAMPOBAMUHENE, AKUAPEM

NANA AKOSUA MANTEBEA I

TWAFOHEMAA

OTHER ADUANA CHIEFS IN AKROPONG

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HIGHSOCIETY

Fraternity Group In Akropong

Fraternity Group In Akropong

34

Oth

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em

bers Ofosua Kissiedu Margarete Nyantekyiwa

Dora Ohene Sonkor Odehye Kwadwo Lokko

Da

nkw

ah O

hene

Lyd

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Other Special Dignitaries

Mr. Felix Mensah and Wife Mary Kwatia

35

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Gratitude to Evangelist Abboa Ofei,Hon. Ofosu Ampofoh, Nana Sackey,Mr. Samuel Sarpong and all others who

made the festival possible.

DESIGNED & PRINTED BY SAMASKA

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