Congratulations, Okyenhene!

The Ghanaian Times congratulates Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin on his 25th anniversary as the occupant of the Ofori Panin Stool of Akyem Abuakwa Tradi­tional Area, otherwise known as Okyeman in the Eastern Region of the country.

It is interesting to learn that he became the 35th Chief of Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Area, when he ascended the throne on Octo­ber 4, 1999.

Twenty-five years of being the Okyenhene and still counting the years ahead is no mean an achieve­ment.

The challenges are countless and it should take a strong-willed, respectful, compassionate and consistent leader, who enjoys the support of his people, to achieve this.

Some of the histories of the various traditional areas in the country tell stories of how some chiefs abdicated because they could not stand the heat of the challeng­es, while others were de-stooled because they breached everything expected of them, including respect for their people and readi­ness to loyally serve them.

If today, there are ceremonies to mark the Silver Jubilee of Osagye­fuo Amoatia Ofori Panin, then The Ghanaian Times wants to believe that the Akyem Abuakwa king has gained acceptability from his people for some success, growth and resilience that have collective­ly impacted development in his jurisdiction.

Generally, chiefs, like all other leaders, should seek the wellbeing and welfare or the progress of their people but they, as individ­uals, should have a passion for certain endeavours that can stand the test of time as their unique contribution to the progress or development of their people.

In making that choice, the leader must consider the exigencies of the times and also envision the days ahead and pursue what can benefit the present generation and future ones.

Thank God the Okyenhene chose to do advocacy against envi­ronmental degradation, a passion which has received praise from the President of the country, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

Speaking at a grand durbar in Kyebi organised as part of the celebration of Ofori Panin’s 25th anniversary as the Okyenhene, President Akufo-Addo lauded the king’s consistent advocacy and went ahead to praise him for his unwavering commitment to envi­ronmental conservation over the past 25 years.

The President continued that since ascending the Ofori Panin Stool, Okyenhene had champi­oned the fight against deforesta­tion, irresponsible mining, water pollution, and activities that harm the environment and contributed to global warming.

“Today, the advocacy you started 25 years ago has become an issue of serious concern to all,” the President says of the Okyenhene.

From all indications, the Okyenhene’s choice to promote environmental conservation, with all that are involved in it, including checking illegal mining (galamsey) and its devastation, at the time galamsey was not a big issue in the country shows how visionary he is.

No doubt the Okyenhene has promoted development in Okyeman, underpinned by peace, dedication, respect, loyalty and inclusivity.

For the Akyem Abuakwa king to tour all the five divisions under his rule, to interact with division­al chiefs and subjects, shows all the values stated in the foregoing paragraph.

The Ghanaian Times amplifies Osagyefuo Ofori Panin’s gratitude to the numerous supporters and institutions that have backed his environmental advocacy over the years.

It is our prayer that in the days ahead, the Okyenhene would enjoy better health and do more for his people in particular and the country in general and leave an exemplary legacy for posterity to learn from.