By: Opanyin Yaw Baah
Post independent Ghana has witnessed the dwindling role of our chiefs, more especially in respect of governance at the national level.
The Republican Constitutions of 1960, 1969, and 1979 left the chieftaincy institution susceptible to machinations of politicians. However, the 4th Republican Constitution has been tailored to arrest this unfortunate spectacle by insulating the Niis, Naas, Togbes, Nananom, Wuras etc from frontline politics, making them more development oriented.
Today, a chief’s achievement is measured in terms of developmental projects impacted on his people rather than the number of years of occupancy.
It is against this background that I join the chorus in saying “Mo ne yo” (well-done) to Nana Otuo Sereboe II, the current occupant of Adarkwa Yiadom and Osei Hwedee stool of Asante Juaben.
Nana, I am not here to write a literature of you, nor dissect otherwise but by dint of hard work coupled with sagacity, tenacity and foresight, your achievements speak volumes for some of your brothers to emulate.
Occupying a stool that is one of the nine founding members of Asante Union in 1699, you and your brothers of Oyoko lineage, comprising your Overlord Otumfuo (Kumasi), Kokofu, Nsuta(Uncle), Bekwai and other non-Oyoko of Mampong, Essumegya, Kumawu and Denyase, you have amply displayed the rare quality of a super leader.
Development Projects
Your forty years as Juabenhene has transformed the hitherto quiet town into a lively one, sharing the dual role of district capital status with Ejisu. Today, Juaben is awashed with developmental projects unprecedented in any other time.
Juaben now boasts of a circuit court, an imposing bank of international repute, a health centre housing medical students of KNUST for clinical studies, modern ICT Centre, about five Primary and five Junior High Schools, the famous Nana Akyamaa II Market containing over one hundred stalls and others.
Juaben Oil Mills which is your handiwork, and owned by the Traditional Council, is the second major producer of palm oil in the country, after Lever Brothers Ltd. It is also worthy of note to mention the job opportunities you have created for your people and Ghana at large in view of the readily available market for palm products as raw material for your firm.
Governance
Following the footsteps of your late uncle, Nana Yaw Sarpong II (1942-1959), who represented the Asanteman at the Committee whose work led to the promulgation of the 1946 Burns Constitution, you have had the singular honour of representing Ashanti Region under the umbrella of the Regional House of Chiefs at both Constituent Assembly of 1979 and Consultative Assembly of 1991-92.
You capped it all by being appointed a Member of Council of State from 2001-2008. No wonder, you were decorated with the National Award of Order of the Volta for your statesmanship and sterling leadership.
As for the numerous positions held on boards and organizations, I cannot recount.
Nana, your “kissengering” role and the degree of wisdom displayed, together with that of Rt. Rev. Dr. Kwasi Sarpong, in respect of the February 15, 1985 destoolment of Nana Kwantwi Barimah, the then Adansihene, only to be eclipsed by the legendary Baffour Akoto (then Senior Linguist of Asantehene) of blessed memory, is still fresh in my mind.
Nana, it is not by sheer coincidence or family tree factor that you have emerged as almost the number one ear of the occupants of Manhyia for the past thirty years, but it is all because of your exemplary and unique leadership qualities.
Juaso Albatross
Nana, as a lawyer with specialty in Customary Law and Chieftaincy Affairs, it will be hypocritical on my part if I do not comment on the unending Juaso (Nifa Division) chieftaincy crisis, which constitutes the low point of your forty-year selfless administration. Constitutionally, you have discharged your mandate but being the Overlord, you still remain part of the solution if the Safrotwie/Ohenenana Kwasi Prempeh bitter acrimony that has bedeviled Juaso development is to be averted.
CONCLUSION
New Drobo Too
Thirty years ago, you ascended the Sakyi Ako Stool of Drobo which rotates between Adinkra and Bosea Royal Gates in the Bono Kyempim enclave after over twenty years of meritorious service as a military officer.
I salute you, Nana Gyinatwi Boseantwi, for the able manner you have led your people to achieve lasting peace and unity which has culminated in massive development in the Traditional Area for the past years.
What even amazes me most is your pursuit goal of Girl-Child education which has resulted in the establishment of Junior/Senior Girls’ Schools in such a deprived environment.
Nana, may your Creator extend His social contract with you in respect of longetivity to enable you accomplish all your heartfelt desires for your people and the nation at large.
The writer is MP for Kumawu and Fellow of Danquah Institute (DI).
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