Okyenhene elected as new President of Eastern Regional House of Chiefs

The Okyenhene, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin, was on Friday elected unopposed as the President of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs at a general meeting of the House in Koforidua.

He took over from Daasebre Professor Oti Boateng, the Omanhene of the New Juaben Traditional Area, who did not seek re-election when his four-year term of office ended this Month.

Nana Osei Nyarko, Omanhene of Boso Guan Traditional Area, was also elected unopposed as the Vice-President.

Three other Chiefs, Nene Sakitey II, Konor of Manya Krobo, Okotwasuo Owaree Agyekum III, Omanhene of the Akyem Bosume Traditional Area and Daasebre Dr. Oti Boateng, were all elected unopposed to join the Okyenhene and Nana Nyarko to represent the House at the National House of Chiefs.

Justice Surrubarreh, the Regional Supervising High Court Judge, swore the chiefs into office as they took the oaths of secrecy and allegiance.

Earlier, Daasebre Dr. Oti Boateng told the House that considering his private vocations led to his decision of not seeking re-election as President of the House.

He said the decision had become necessary to enable him to concentrate and focus on the various books he intended to publish adding that the first volume of a book had just been completed to be launch at the British Council Hall in Accra on October 29.

Daasebre Dr. Oti Boateng took the opportunity to thank the chiefs for the support, encouragement and the cooperation which they gave him during his tenure of office as President of the House.

He recounted that during his tenure of office and with the help of the Chiefs, some modest successes were chalked.

He mentioned in particular the procurement of six new computers and a photocopier which had been appropriately hooked onto the internet.

The Okyenhene, in his acceptance speech, said since his enstoolment, issues of ecology, public health, social progress and economic development had been of top priority to him.

He said as President of the House, he would be committed to those same noble pursuits and pledged to do his best to live up to expectations.

Osagyefuo Ofori Panin told the chiefs that they had a responsibility not only to advocate for the tracking of the decentralization process but to play a more significant role in local governance.

He advised them to strive to settle the many chieftaincy disputes and promote peace and unity in the towns and the communities since the goal of social and economic development could only be met in the midst of social harmony and cohesion.

The Okyenhene appealed to all political parties to do their best to ensure peace in the coming elections.