A 35-year-old chartered accountant and entrepreneur was utdoored as the Omanhene (Paramount Chief) of the Anum Traditional Area in the Eastern Region over the weekend.
Akusiaku-Brempong Kumi Sasraku VIII, known in private life as Maxwell Kwabena Asare, replaces Omanhene Appiah Kumi II who reigned for 46 years until his demise seven years ago (1970 -2016).
The new Omanhene was enstooled on May 5, this year, inducted into the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs otherwise known as the House of Royal Majesties and gazetted by the National House of Chiefs on July 13, 2023.
The last time a Paramount Chief’s coronation was held in the area was 53 years ago, therefore, the ceremony attracted an overwhelming gathering including chiefs from the Eastern and Volta Regions, government officials, politicians, entrepreneurs and others from far and near.
The historic event was nothing short of a spectacular cocktail of vibrant cultural display, musketry, music, symbolic regalia which summed up into a fitting testament of the rich heritage and tradition of the Guan community of the Asuogyaman District.
Addressing the gathering, Akusiaku-Brempong Sasraku, resplendent in his regalia, rallied the people to unite and support his plans for the area’s development.
He promised the people an all-inclusive type of rule, where he would accommodate the views and suggestions of his people in order to advance life in the area.
He appealed to the government to fix the road leading to the town to enhance socio-economic activities, attract investors and facilitate his vision of making the area a business hub.
He thanked the kingmakers and the people of Anum for the confidence reposed in him, and assured them that he would continue the good works started by his predecessors.
The Eastern Regional Minister, Seth Akeampong, in a speech read on his behalf by the District Chief Executive, Samuel Agyekum, commended the area for a peaceful transition of power.
He assured the people of the government’s support in the implementation of its development plan which was drawn by the chief and people six months into the reign of the new Omanhene.
He urged the chief and people of the area to unite in revenue mobilsation for self-initiated development projects in the town to complement efforts by the government.
On his part, the Paramount Chief of the Akwamu Traditional Area, Odeneho Kwafo Akoto III, who was the special guest, conveyed the best wishes of his people to the Anum Traditional Area.
Revealing that his father hailed from Anum, he said the Akwamu and Anum had enjoyed a strong bond over the years, and that the coronation of the new chief, presented another opportunity to strengthen it.
Together, he said the two traditional areas would work to make the Asuogyaman District a prosperous and secured one.
Born on January 5, 1988, Akusiaku-Brempong Kumi Sasraku VIII is an old student of the Anum Presby Primary School, Madina Seventh Day Adventist School, the Accra Technical University, where he read accountancy and proceeded to the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ghana.
He is the founder of Oman Daakye Affinity Recovery Limited and three other businesses, and the brain behind the Student Entrepreneurship Association of Ghana.
FROM JONATHAN DONKOR, ANUM