Okyenhene Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin has been lauded for his innovative and transformative traditional leadership at the launch of his 25th-anniversary celebrations at Kyebi in the Eastern region.
His achievements in the areas of education, health, Environmental conservation, peace, and stability as well as Ghana’s democracy have been eulogized.
His Royal Majesty Okyenhene Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin Known in private life as Odehye Kwame Boakye Ofori Atta, is the 35th Okyenhene, having ascended the throne on October 4, 1999, following the passing of his brother, Nana Kuntunkununku II.
Launching the 25th anniversary during an assembly of traditional leaders, and media, Okyeman Twafohene, Okatakyie Boakye Danquah, emphasized the theme of the Silver Jubilee celebration, “Sustainable Leadership and Service to Humanity.”
He said Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin has bequeathed a legacy unmatched in the annals of traditional leadership, specifically tailored to meet the demands of modernity.
He said, that under Osagyefuo’s reign, significant strides have been made in addressing educational challenges within Okyeman and the broader Eastern Region.
He underscored that Okyenhene’s advocacy has led to reduced school dropout rates, improved academic performance, quality education, lower teenage pregnancy incidences, and decreased HIV infections.
“Osagyefuo launched a successful advocacy for increased funding and rekindled the interest and involvement of parents in their children’s education. Today the impressive strides we have made in terms of rapid reduction in the school dropout rate, reduction in the incidence of teenage pregnancy, and decrease in reported cases of HIV infections is a tribute to Osagyefuo’s exemplary leadership and advocacy”
Osagyefuo’s establishment of ten Amoatia Ofori Panin Model Schools has made a significant impact.
He continued “This cannot be said only for basic education but also secondary and higher education over the last two and a half decades. Under his leadership, ten Basic Education Schools, christened, the Amoatia Ofori Panin Model Schools, have been established in ten locations within Okyeman to complement the efforts of Government in the education sector” Said Okyeman Twafohene.
The University College of Agriculture, Environment, and Science (UCAES) at Bunso, the first-ever university founded by a traditional ruler in Ghana stands as a testament to Okyenhene’s commitment to education and environmental conservation.
“the establishment of the UCAES is the cumulative result of the personal fidelity of the Osagyefuo in the forest Okyeman Agenda, in particular, the world-acclaimed Atiwa Forest which is not only a home to diverse and rare species of mammals, birds, and butterflies but more importantly it serves as the ecological backbone for several water bodies in the Eastern and Accra plains”.
The Atiwa Forest, a key ecological asset of Okyeman, has been a focal point of Osagyefuo’s conservation efforts.
According to the Okyeman Twafohene, Okyenhene’s collaborations with global conservationists and initiatives aimed at combating climate change have earned him international recognition.
“It is by this conviction that on several occasions the Osagyefuo has initiated fruitful deliberations with the then Prince Charles now King Charles II Rainforest Project and other renowned Conservationist Institutions across the world about measures to stem the tide of climate change and global warming. The Okyenhene is a world-acclaimed conservationist”
Okyenhene Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin has been credited for the restoration of social order and public peace through the speedy and effective resolution of Chieftaincy disputes not only as Okyenhene but also during his duty tour as President of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs.
“The Okyenhene is a paragon of innovative traditional leadership with few rivals. His record represents an example of the unlimited positive possibilities chieftaincy can play in the struggle for national development and eradicating the scourge of youth unemployment and destitution by sustainable exploitation of Ghana’s abundant natural resources” Said Okyeman Twafohene
Ultimately, the “historic fraternal conviviality, unity and peace between Okyeman and other Kingdoms that has characterized the 25-year reign of the Okyenhene counts as one of his most glorifying achievements”
The anniversary celebrations, set to run throughout 2024, feature a diverse range of events, including Adonten Divisional Durbar, Kukurantumi (31st May 2024),
One Million Tree Planting Exercise and One Student One Tree Project Launch (3rd June 2024),
Benkum Divisional Durbar, Begoro (21st June 2024),
Grand Ohum Durbar, Kyebi (20th July 2024) Gyase/Kwaben Divisional Durbar (27th September 2024),
Asona Family Reunion (4th October 2024) and 25th Anniversary Football Gala (5th October 2024).
The rest of the activities include
Okyeman Congress and Awards Night (19th October 2024), Okyeman Fun & Food Fair at Community Centre (23rd November 2024), Golf Tournament (30th November 2024), Non-Denominational Birthday Thanksgiving Service (14th December 2024), Mega Musical Concert at the Kyebi Community Centre (Evening of 14th December 2024), and Children’s Party (28th December 2024).
Twafohene Okatakyie Boakye Danquah concluded by calling for active participation and support from the public and the media to ensure the success of the celebrations.
He expressed hope that this milestone would enhance cooperation for a prosperous future for Okyeman and Ghana.
Former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, a member of the Okyenhene 25th Anniversary Committee, praised Okyenhene Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin’s achievements across various sectors.
He highlighted the okyenhene’s role in continuing Okyeman’s historic contributions to Ghana’s democracy by producing a President under his reign.
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