Chiefs Urged To Emulate Late Nana Hima Dekyi

Traditional rulers in the country have been urged to emulate the enviable reign of the late Nana Hima Dekyi XIII, Omanhene of Upper Dixcove, in the Ahanta West district of Western region who, for 38 years of her reign, never saw or experienced any chieftaincy disputes in her traditional area.

Nana Dekyi who reigned from 1964 to 2002, is reputed to be the only female paramount chief Ghana has ever produced. She was 94 years.

Mrs. Gladys Asmah, Minister for Children and Women?s Affairs, gave the advice at the funeral of the late Nana Dekyi attended by a high-powered government delegation, paramount chiefs, heads of departments and sympathisers at Dixcove on Saturday.

Mrs. Asmah who was delivering a brief message from the government to the bereaved family, noted that the late Omanhene was a great loss to Ghana and her area because she was development-oriented and a friend of the poor.

His Excellency, Alhaji Aliu Mahama, the Vice President, asked chiefs to eschew divisive tendencies and allow peace to reign in the traditional areas.

He sent a special message of condolence from President Kufuor to the bereaved family and the traditional area, adding ?Nana did everything to keep her town and traditional area united, and that is what the President expects from traditional rulers in Ghana?.

In his welcoming address, Mr. Francis Quansah, a retired director of education and family representative, described the late Omanhene as a pillar of Dixcove, adding ?by her demise, the people of Dixcove and Ahanata West are powerless.?

He stressed that Nana Dekyi was very much loved by all because of her industry, philanthropic work, service and love for natural justice.

Nana Dekyi single-handedly constructed a complete hospital, and accommodation for doctors, nurses, and police quarters in Dixcove.

She offered tremendous financial support to many young mothers, and also adopted orphans to undergo vocational training in the district.

She maintained some schools in Dixcove, financed and canvassed for scholarships for many girls to enter training colleges and secondary schools.

In recognition of her notable achievements, Nana Dekyi won many awards with the most recent being ?Personality of the Decade Award? for distinguished personalities in the Western region.

Hon. J.B. Aidoo, Western regional minister, read a tribute on behalf of the Western regional Co-ordinating Council and, on behalf of the government, presented assorted drinks and a cash donation of ?6.5 million to the bereaved family. The Ministry of Health also presented drinks and a cash of ?2 million for the late Nana?s meritorious service to the ministry with Dr. Kweku Afriyie, Minister of Health present.

The Western Regional secretary also presented cash of ? 500,000 to the bereaved family. Other dignitaries who attended the funeral include Hon. Freddie Blay, first deputy Speaker of Parliament, Mr. Kwadwo Mpiani, chief of Staff, Papa Owusu Ankomah, Majority Leader in Parliament, Mr. K. T. Hammond, Deputy Minister of Energy, Mr. Dan Botwe, general secretary of NPP and Mr. Mac Manu, Western regional Chairman of NPP