Aburi Chief
The chiefs and people of Okuapeman Traditional Area in Eastern Region will install new paramount chief and queen mother next month to succeed the late Oseadeyo Addo Dankwa III and Nana Dokua, who died in August 2015 and July 2016 respectively.
The Aburihene, Nana Otoobour Djan Kwasi, told DAILY GUIDE that “Okuapeman needs successors to the Omanhene and Ohemaa, and we shall ensure that we select presentable personalities to represent us in this traditional council by next month.”
According to the Aburihene, who was the chairman of the funeral committee for the late Nana Dokua, plans are far advanced to announce the successors by next month.
For the paramount chief, he said three names would be presented to 11 kingmakers in Okuapeman in consultation with other chiefs and queen mothers to select the most suitable and presentable person to be installed.
“We shall first install the paramount chief after which he will also supervise the installment of his queen mother as our custom demands,” he said.
The Aburihene, who also doubles as Adontenhene of the Okuapeman Traditional area, reiterated the commitment of the chiefs and queen mothers to sustaining the peace that has prevailed since 2013, adding that the installment of the new paramount chief and queen mother shall be very peaceful.
The late Oseadeyo Addo Dankwa III ascended the throne in 1974 at the age of 44.
Prior to his demise, Oseadeyo Addo Dankwa III served as a member of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs and National House of Chiefs.
He was also part of the Research Committee of the National House of Chiefs from 1990-1994.
In 1994, a misunderstanding between Akropong and Abiriw resulted in a breakup of Okuapeman, with the Nifa, Benkum and Adonten Divisions deciding not to pay allegiance to the Ofori Kuma Stool headed by Oseadeyo Addo Dankwa III.
Various attempts by religious and political leaders to resolve the problem proved futile during the tenure of former Eastern Regional Minister, Helen Ntoso, who intensified the efforts.
Fortunately, the three divisions agreed on August 27, 2013 to rescind their decisions, and for the first time in 20 years, they all participated in Odwira in 2014.
The late Okuapemhemaa, Nana Dokua, who is from the Amaa Ogyaa Royal Family, also ascended the throne in 1966.
Nana Dokua, according to Otoobour Djan Kwesi, demonstrated impeccable leadership in the area.
From Daniel Bampoe, Aburi