A 54-YEAR-OLD healthcare professional, Dr. Kennedy Richard Opoku has been confirmed as the new Twafuohene of the Asanteman Council after swearing the oath of allegiance to the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, at a colourful ceremony in Kumasi.
The event, held at the courtyard of the Manhyia Palace last Friday, was witnessed by a large crowd including royals, paramount and divisional chiefs in Kumasi.
The occupational therapist, who responds to a stool name Baffour Opoku Agyemang I, succeeded Baffour Asuman Dankwa who passed on four years ago.
Before he was allowed to draw the ‘Mpomponsuo’ sword to swear, Otumfuo asked for unalloyed loyalty, respect, dedication and honesty from the newly installed Twafuohene.
This was after members of the Asanteman Council took turns to advise him to exhibit a high sense of integrity and morality as well as serve the people.
The Twafuo stool forms part of the courtiers of war marshal group of the Asantehene which serves as the combative group.
Tradition was at its best as the new chief, adorned in black cloth, was carried high in a palanquin amidst the playing of fontonfrom and other traditional drums soon after swearing the oath of allegiance.
Baffour Agyemang Opoku I declared his commitment and readiness to help develop and transform his traditional community to its proper status.
He said education and healthcare would be his major preoccupation, aside creating economic and social opportunities for the youth in order to help develop their employable skills to engender prosperity among members of the community.
He expressed his profound gratitude to his people and other chiefs for their support, wise counsel, and service in the processes leading to his installation and swearing in as the new Twafuohene of Otumfuo.
From Ernest Kofi Adu, Kumasi