American Couple Enstooled

An American couple have been honoured by the chiefs, elders and youth of Obosomase near Aburi in the Eastern Region for their outstanding efforts to help the latter "reach a self-supporting stage".

Isaac Edwards a retired worker of the U.S. Army was installed as 'Ankobeahene' with his stool name Nana Aryeh Kofi I, as a developmental chief of Obosomase.

His wife Swantje Edwards a health worker, was installed 'Nkosuhemaa' with the name Nana Akua Sakyibea I.

They both swear oaths of allegiance to Nana Yao Dartey III paramount chief of Obosomase and his elders.

The couple in an interview with the ADM narrated how they established the relationship with the people of Obosomase.

According to Swantje "we had a feeling of doing something good to our brothers and sisters in some part of the world, but did not know where to start from, we discussed this with friends Mr Addo and his wife who come from here, and they invited us here".

Isaac told the ADM that they were glad to meet the people of Obosomase for "it was in our heart to bring something to Ghana, which will benefit all the people".

"It does our heart good if we can share what we have with the people of Ghana; our own brothers and sisters in Obosomase" said Isaac.

According to Isaac their main idea is to lead the people of Obosomase to a stage where they would be "self-supporting". He said they will start with farming on a small scale as well as raising animals.

Swantje told the ADM that she would continue with her health work at Obosomase. "I've been working with women more especially pregnant women.

I am a counsellor, I advise them on how to raise children, and I conduct pregnancy tests as well. Those are what I will continue with during my stay over here" she said.

The couple demanded the spirit of "willingness to work" from the people of Obosomase, in order to achieve the targeted goals. Nana Danso Koranteng I, the youth chief of the town called on the government, public spirited organisations as well as individuals to help develop the Adom Waterfalls, a site of tourist attraction at Obosomase.

He said the waterfall which won a tourism award in 2002, lacks an access route to it. He said the only route to the site which is 3km away from the town, is a footpath. He said many people cannot make it on foot to the site, hence the lack of patronage.

He appealed to the government and the tourism industry to help construct a vehicle access route to the site to attract more visitors.