Okuapemhene funeral arrangements announced

The delegation with the Eastern regional minister The final funeral rites of Oseadeeyo Addo Dankwa III, the Omanhene of the Akuapem Traditional Area in the Eastern Region, who passed away last year, will take place from 1-8 February, this year.

The Krontihene and acting President of the Akuapem Traditional Council, Osahene Offei Kwasi Agyeman made this known when he led a delegation of chiefs of the Akuapem Traditional Council to officially inform the Eastern Regional Minister, Antwi Boasiako Sekyere about the funeral arrangements for the late paramount chief.

Osahene Offei Kwasi Agyeman, who outlined the programmes for the funeral, said the laying in state and wake keeping would take place on 1st February 2016.

He added that the church service would be on Sunday, 7th February.

The Regional Minister, on his part, thanked the chiefs for updating him and his office about the funeral arrangements and promised to do everything possible to ensure its success.

He said the late chief was a statesman and prayed that all would ensure peace and unity before, during and after funeral at Akwapem.

The late Oseadeeyo Addo Dankwa III, who was installed as Paramount chief of the Akuapem Traditional Area in 1974, died at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra.

Oseadeeyo Addo Dankwa III had his secondary education at the Presbyterian Secondary School, Odumase Krobo. In his final year at PRESEC, he became the senior prefect of the school and obtained Cambridge School Certificate in 1951.

He was in charge of admissions at the Academic Registrar’s Office, University College of Gold Coast from 1952 to 1956 and it was during this period that he studied as a private student and obtained his ‘A’ Level and Intermediate B.Sc Economic certificates.

In October 1956, he was admitted to the University College of Ghana and obtained B.Sc Economics from the University of London in 1959.

After graduation, he worked briefly as a co-operative officer at the Department of Co-operatives and as a senior auditor at the Auditor General’s Department.

When Mensah Sarbah Hall was opened at the University of Ghana in 1963, he was appointed its bursar in charge of financial and administrative matters.

He was the President of the Akuapem Traditional Council from 1974 until his demise. He was also a member of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs from till his demise.

The late Okupeman chief was also the chairman of the Publicity Committee National House of Chiefs 1990-1994, President of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs 1994-2000 and also a Member, Standing Committee of the National House of Chiefs 1994-2000.

He served on many boards of several institutions.

Oseadeyo Addo Dankwa III, the longest-serving Okuapehene, was installed as paramount chief at the age of 44 and reigned for 35 years.

The five divisions of Akuapem Traditional Council- Kronti, Adonteng, Gyaase, Nifa and Benkum were represented by the divisional chiefs- Osabarima Offei Kwasi Agyeman, Otubour Gyan Kwasi, Nana Osim Kwatia III, Nenye Otutu Kono III and Enyine Osabarima Asiedu Okoo II respectively.