Dormaa-Ahenkro (Brong Ahafo) 8th June ?99
A 33-year-old lawyer, Mr. Daniel Kofi Mensah, was on Monday nominated and approved as the new Omanhene of the Dormaa Traditional Area.
The new chief, who comes from the Atoase Royal Family of Dormaa, is the son of the late Dormaa queenmother, Nana Akosua Ansuaa Ababio.
He succeeds the Osagyefo Oseadeyo Dr Agyeman Badu, who died on January 30, 1998, at the age of 73 after ruling for 48 years.
The nomination was made by Nana Kofi Yeboah, Abakomahene and head of the two royal families, Atoase and Akanase, and approved by all the 10 kingmakers.
Barima Ansu Adjei, Acting President of the Dormaa Traditional Council who is also Krontihene of the traditional area, announced the nomination and approval at a colourful ceremony at the Abanpredease palace at Dormaa-Ahenkro.
According to tradition, the nomination has to be done by the Abakomahene since the late queenmother, Nana Ababio, has not been replaced to perform that function.
Mr. Mensah's supporters later carried him in a palanquin through the principal streets of Dormaa amidst drumming and jubilation.
Before the announcement, the whole township was electrified as everybody waited anxiously to hear the decision of the kingmakers who held a prolonged closed-door meeting in the morning.
As the announcement was finally made at about 1330 hours, the tension-packed crowd let out a loud cheer.
In attendance were Nana Oduro Numapau II, Omanhene of Essumeja in the Ashanti region and one of the heads of the Aduana Clan.
The ceremony passed off peacefully without any incident, as contingents of security personnel were deployed to maintain peace and order.
Three other candidates, namely Mr. Kwaku Agyeman Abayie, a London-based royal, Professor Acheampong, a lecturer at the University of Cape Coast, Mr. Boakye Yaw Danquah, also a lecturer at the University of Ghana, Legon, were said to have contested for the stool.
