Okyenhene Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin
The overlord of the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Area, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori-Panin, has asked the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, to crack the whip on appointees whose actions could lead to the failure of the administration. He indicated that political appointees are appointed to help the president achieve his aim of developing the country and should therefore not see themselves as lords of their own.
The Okyenhene stated that some appointees of the president have become too bossy with their positions, a situation which he says should not be so. He indicated that the president’s vision of developing the country is clear and actions of his appointees should therefore not thwart this vision. He has therefore called on the president to sack appointees who do not seem ready to work hard for the president to achieve his vision.
20 years Anniversary
The Okyenhene was speaking at a grand durbar of chiefs and people of Okyenman in Kyebi on Saturday, to climax the 20th-anniversary celebrations of his reign as the overlord of the Akyem Abuakwa state. The 20th Anniversary of his ascension to the Ofori-Panin Stool was launched in August this year.
On October 4, 1999, the Okyenhene was enstooled as the 35th Chief of Akyem Abuakwa to succeed his late brother, Osagyefo Kuntunkunuku.
Several activities were lined-up for the 20th anniversary celebration. The activities include the commissioning of a Children’s Library at Kyebi, the Okyenhene Invitational Golf Tournament, sod-cutting of Amoaia Ofori-Panin Basic School projects, football gala, musical concert, royal ball dinner and the grand durbar.
Also as part of the activities to mark the anniversary, the Okyenhene toured communities and villages within the Traditional Area with a medical caravan where the people were provided with free medical screening for the eye, diabetes, cancer, and HIV among other ailments.
The anniversary was held under the theme; “Serving the People, Innovating for the Future”. The anniversary was also used to unveil the Okyenhene’s green initiative known as ‘Operation Cover the Earth’ which is targeted at planting some 25 million trees in the next five years.
Importance of chiefs
Speaking at the grand durbar, the Okyenhene stressed the relevance of chiefs in local governance. Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin who is noted for his long held stance on decentralization as the main tool towards sustainable development called for effective collaboration between chiefs and political leadership at the local level.
Referendum
He expressed disappointment in the nature and manner the aborted referendum was handled. With his strong believe in decentralization, he has urged the government to bring back the issue to the discussion table expressing hope that with broader consultation, a national consensus will be built on the matter.
Upper Chamber
The Overlord of Dagbon Traditional Area, Ya-Naa Abubakari Mahama ll, who was who was the Special Guest of Honour for the occasions proposed the establishment of an upper chamber to replace the Council of State.
He explained that the chamber should be made up of eminent chiefs and distinguished Ghanaians with the power to consider certain bills before they are sent to Parliament.
According to the Dagbon Overlord, the proposed chamber will also see to the appointments of key positions such as Auditor-General, Inspector-General of Police, Chairperson and Members of Electoral Commission, Vice Chancellors of State Universities and Executive Secretary of the National Media Commission among others.
The durbar was attended by different categories of people including traditional leaders, political leaders, the clergy among others.
