Thousands of natives of the Akyem Abuakwa State, friends and well-wishers of the Okyenhene, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin, are expected to visit the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Area between now and December 2024, as the Okyenhene celebrates his 25th Anniversary on ascension to the Ofori Panin Stool.
The Okyenhene’s silver jubilee celebration is on the theme: “25 years of Sustainable Leadership and Service to Humanity”.
Addressing journalists at a press launch in Kyebi yesterday, Okyenman Twafohene, Okatakyie Boakye Danquah, espoused the achievement of Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin and described him as a “Paragon of innovative traditional leadership with few rivals”.
“Osagyefo took over at the time when Okyenman and the Eastern Region were confronted with many developmental challenges. Okyenman wore the unenviable tag of the poorest performance in the BECE despite significant public investment. This had its roots in growing social crisis of truancy, increase in school dropout rate, the surge in teenage pregnancy and the spread of HIV,” Okatakyie Danquah observed.
According to the Okyeman Twafohene, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin 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 school dropout rate, reduction in the incident of teenage pregnancy and decrease in reported cases of HIV infections are a tribute to Osagyefo’s exemplary leadership and advocacy,” Okatakyie Danquah added.
He said under Osagyefo’s leadership, ten basic schools, christened the Amoatia Ofori Panin Model Schools, had been established in ten locations within Okyenman to complement the effort of the government in the education sector.
Okatakyie Danquah added that the University College of Agriculture, Environment and Science (UCAES) at Bonsu was established by the Osagyefo, despite earlier challenges, and it was growing to become a first-class destination for agriculture and ecological studies.
He said the Okyenhene had initiated several projects and taken measures to stem the tide of climate change and global warming, stressing that Okyenhene was a World acclaimed conservationist.
On his 25th anniversary celebration, the planning committee has outlined several events, including an initiative to plant one million trees as part of the Green Ghana Project on Monday, June 3, 2024.
There shall be five durbars in all the five divisions in Okyenman, including Adonten – Kukurantumi, Benkum – Begoro, Nifa – Asiakwa, Oseawuo – Wenkyi, Gyase- Kwaben and the ground durbar at Kyebi on Saturday, July 20, 2024.
Also, on the programme for the anniversary celebration is the 25th anniversary Football Gala, Asona Reunion, Okyenman Congress and Awards Night, Okyenman Fun and Food Fair at the Kyebi Community Centre, Golf Tournament, Non-denominational birthday thanks-giving service, a Mega Musical Concert at Kyebi in December 2024, and children’s party.