Asamankese gets new chief

The Stool Elders of the Asamankese Traditional Area, on Monday confirmed the installation of Osabarima Adu Darko the Third, as the new chief, to succeed his brother, the late Osabarima Kwaku Amoah the Third, who died on November 3, last year.

The Stool elders, 10 queen-mothers, 35 sub-chiefs, traditional representatives from Akwamu and Akwatia Asafoatse, diplomats and well-wishers, witnessed the grand occasion at the Asamankese Palace, where the necessary rites were performed, before parading the new chief through the principal streets of the town, amidst heavy police guard.

Speaking at the palace to receive the new chief, Baffour Kwaku Agyarkwa Forson, Ankobeahene, commended the stool elders and all well-wishers without whose support and co-operation, the installation would not have been a success.

He urged Osabarima Adu to endeavour to continue the good works of his predecessor, and also bring unity and progress to the traditional area.

Nana Akosua Birikoranmaa, queen-mother of Asamankese, was convinced that the new chief would discharge his traditional obligations assiduously and vigorously, to the admiration of the chieftaincy, political and religious institutions, whose co-operation would be needed most in the administration of the chief.

Baffour Kwame Arkoh, Benkumhene, urged the new chief to endeavor to lead an exemplary life for his subjects to emulate, and also use his expertise to help improve the living conditions of his subjects.

Nana Obutu Frimpong, Odikro of Essaso, noted that the stool was the preserve of the Abrade Family from Akwamu, and therefore, advised the chief to work diligently to uphold the dignity of the family and society.

Known in private life as Kwasi Obeng, 57, Nana Adu schooled at the Anglican Primary at Asamankese, and completed at the Kibi Experimental (1982/83). He was enrolled at the Suhum Secondary/Technical for five years and entered sixth form at Keta Secondary (1985 – 1987).

From school, he did the National Service with the Post and Telecommunication (P&T), Accra, where he worked briefly, before travelling to London sometime in October, 1999.

He worked with the Southern Rail – London as Customer Sales. He was a member of the Church of England – Sutton.

He is currently married to Madam Charlotte Amoah with four children.

Osabarima Adu thanked the chiefs and queen-mothers of the Asamankese Traditional Area for accepting him. He pledged his commitment to use his exuberant energy to work tirelessly to bring sanity into the chieftaincy institution.

The new chief noted that swearing “the oath of allegiance and secrecy”, invoked the spirits of the ancestors, and was therefore, of the view that all those who matter in the Abrade Stool, would co-operate with him to bring transformation in the lives of the people, to glorify God.

“I have the objective to liaise with the municipal assembly and the education directorate, for more social amenities and improved standard of education, he said.