Story by, Paul Mensah Nsor
The process of selecting and nominating a new Okuapehene to replace the late Oseadeeyo Addo Dankwa III has been initiated in the Akuapem Traditional Area. The Queenmother of Akuapem, Nana Afua Nketiaa Obuo II, announced this at a press conference held in Akropong, in the presence of other senior traditional leaders.
The selection process involved a consultative meeting with key stakeholders, including the Sakyiabea Adehyefi Abrewatia, Mmea mpayinfo ne Abusuapayin (Female elders of Sakyiabea Royal House plus their male Head of Family), the Asonahene of Akuapem, and the Okuapehemaa, Nana Afua Nketiaa Obuo II. This led to the selection and nomination of Odehye Kwasi Akuffo as the 26th Okuapehene.
The selection process was guided by judicial rulings from the Eastern Region House of Chiefs and the National House of Chiefs, as well as a Supreme Court judgment upholding a High Court ruling. These rulings provided clarity on the process and ensured that the selection was done in accordance with Akan custom and tradition.
The Queenmother emphasized the important role of women in decision-making in the Akan matrilineal Abusua system. She noted that women play a key role in the selection and nomination process, and that their input was invaluable in choosing the new Okuapehene.
The Okuapehemaa and senior traditional leaders will now proceed with the installation of the new Okuapehene, Odehye Kwasi Akuffo. They assured that the process will be completed in the shortest possible time, in a climate of peace and security.
The Queenmother noted that the traditional rites for the installation of the new Okuapehene will be conducted according to custom, and that these rites are not public-facing. She also emphasized that the traditional rites will not be performed twice for the same person.
The press conference was held to officially inform the public about the selection and nomination of the new Okuapehene. The Queenmother and senior traditional leaders answered questions from the press, providing clarity on the process and the next steps.
The traditional rites for a late leader who ruled for 40 or 41 years have not been completed, and as a result, a planned celebration event has been cancelled. The Queen Mother has made it clear that she is the sole person who can identify the next steps, and she has not yet publicly put forward a nominee.
According to the Queen Mother, the process of selecting a new leader is ongoing, but it has not yet reached its conclusion. The Supreme Court judgment and the national and regional house of chiefs' mandates have guided the process, but more work needs to be done.
The Queen Mother and her elders are consulting with the family to identify a suitable nominee, but no one has been publicly announced yet. The community is being asked to be patient and respectful of the process, and to allow the Queen Mother to complete the traditional rites for the late leader before moving forward with any celebrations [1].
It's worth noting that the late leader's legacy is still being mourned, and the community is eager to pay their respects. However, the Queen Mother's wishes are being respected, and the focus is on completing the traditional rites and selecting a new leader in accordance with custom and tradition.