Nana Adutwumwaa Dokua (left) speaking at the launch
The Akyem Traditional Council in the Eastern Region has highlighted the achievements of the Okyehene ahead of the Silver Jubilee celebrations of his ascension to the throne.
Several chiefs and well-wishers gathered at the forecourts of the Ofori Panyin Fie at Kibi on Monday, May 20, 2024, to witness the colorful launch of the 25th anniversary celebrations of Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin.
Activities for the six-month-long celebrations will commence from Friday, May 31, 2024, until December.
Nana Adutwumwaa Dokua, the queen mother of Okyeman, launched the anniversary celebrations on behalf of the king.
Launched on the theme "25 years of sustainable leadership and service to humanity," the Twafohene of Okyeman, Okatakyie Boakye Danquah, outlined various achievements of the Okyehene.
Highlighting the King's impressive records over the past two and a half decades, the Twafohene noted that Osagyefuo has, in his twenty-five-year journey, bequeathed a legacy unmatched in the annals of traditional leadership.
Further, he said Osagyefo took over at a time when Okyeman and the Eastern Region were confronted with many developmental challenges, with Okyeman wearing the tag of recording the poorest performances in BECE examinations.
This situation, Okatakyie Boakye Danquah added, had its roots in growing social crises of truancy, an increase in the school dropout rate, the surge of teenage pregnancy, and the spread of HIV.
To address the problem, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panyin, backed by Nananom, initiated critical steps to confront the HIV menace and teenage pregnancy as a first step.
The chief furthered his efforts with the launch of successful advocacy for increased funding, which rekindled the interest and involvement of parents in their children's education.
"Today, the impressive strides we have made in terms of a rapid reduction in school dropout rates, a reduction in the incidence of teenage pregnancy, and a decrease in reported cases of HIV infections are a tribute to Osagyefuo's exemplary leadership and advocacy," said the Twafohene.
He added that this success wasn't only limited to basic schools but also extended to secondary and tertiary education over the last two and a half decades.
Under his leadership, ten basic schools, christened the Amoatia Ofori Panin Model Schools, have been established in ten locations within Okyeman to complement the efforts of the government in the education sector.
Additionally, the Okyehene has also established the University College of Agriculture, Environment, and Science (UCAES) at Bonsu in the Eastern Region, touted as a cumulative result of the personal fidelity of Osagyefuo to the forest Okyeman Agenda.
To stem the tide of climate change and global warming, the Okyenhene, a world-acclaimed conservationist, initiated fruitful deliberations with the then Prince Charles, now King Charles II, on the Rainforest Project and other renowned conservationist institutions across the world about measures to address the phenomena.
The Twafohene, however, attributed the chief's respective successes to his ability to restore social order and public peace through the speedy and effective resolution of chieftaincy disputes, not only as Okyenhene but also during his duty tour as President of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs.
Okatakyie Boakye Danquah described the Okyenhene as "A paragon of innovative traditional leadership with few rivals. His record represents an example of the unlimited positive possibilities chieftaincy can play in the struggle for national development and eradicating the scourge of youth unemployment and destitution through sustainable exploitation of Ghana’s abundant natural resources."
The chief, according to the Twafohene Okatakyie Boakye Danquah, achieved these by restoring social order and public peace through the speedy and effective resolution of chieftaincy disputes, not only as Okyehene but also during his duty tour as president of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs.
Stressing Osagyefo's sterling roles in facilitating national development, he said, "His record represents an example of the unlimited positive possibilities chieftaincy can play in the struggle for national development and eradicating the scourge of youth unemployment and destitution by sustainable exploitation of Ghana’s abundant natural resources."
The Okyehene was also praised for ensuring peace between Okyeman and other kingdoms, which characterized his 25-year reign.
