Oseadeeyo: A man of peace goes home

Akuapem is a loveable place; I have made the short journey from Accra to the “Ofie Mountains” hundreds of times since my childhood but every journey is different.

I made a journey of memory and celebration last Saturday; I drove from Accra to Apirede on the Akuapem Ridge on a hazy day and tried to take in the changes that have taken place within these unchanging hills over the past 50 years.

For most of that period, the “Mountains” area has had one permanent feature in the person of its traditional ruler, the Okuapehene Oseadeeyo Addo Dankwa 111, whose solemn funeral begins on Monday  February 1, 2016 and will last a whole week.

The funeral will provide a rare glimpse into an aspect of Akuapem royal funeral culture, which in the main is not very different from what happens in similar circumstances in other parts of the country.

But such an occasion is a rare event, as the last Okuapehene funeral took place about 70 years ago; thousands of people are expected to throng the ancient hills to take part in a historic event.

Akuapem has been festooned in red and black buntings signifying the state of mourning. An extensive programme has been laid out for the period which includes church services and traditional cultural observances involving all Divisions of the Akuapem State.

Oseadeeyo passed away last August at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra, aged 85. Oseadeeyo Addo Dankwa III was installed Okuapehene (the Paramount Chief of the Akuapem Traditional Area) in 1974 at the age of 44 and reigned continuously for 41 years. He is, therefore, reputed to be the longest reigning Okuapehene since the formation of the Akuapem State.

Oseadeeyo Addo Dankwa III had his secondary education at the Presbyterian Secondary School, Odumase Krobo. In his final year at PRESEC, he was the Senior Prefect of the school and obtained Cambridge School Certificate in 1951.

He worked as an Officer in charge of admissions at the Academic Registrar’s Office, University College of Gold Coast from 1952 to 1956. It was during this period that he studied as a private student and obtained his ‘A’ Level and Intermediate B.Sc Economic certificates.

In October 1956, he was admitted to the University College of Ghana and completed in 1959 with a University of London Bachelor’s degree in Economics. 

After graduation, he worked briefly as a co-operative officer at the Department of Co-Operatives and as a senior auditor at the Auditor General’s Department. When Mensah Sarbah Hall was opened at the University of Ghana in 1963, he was appointed its Hall Bursar in charge of Financial and Administrative matters.

In his chiefly duties, he occupied the following positions among others: President of the Akuapem Traditional Council from 1974 till his demise; member of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs; member of the National House of Chiefs where he served on many committees. He also served as the President of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs.

On the national stage, Oseadeeyo served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust, 1977-1980; Chairman, Board of Directors of Social Security Bank Ltd, 1981-1986; Chairman, Ghana Branch of the Commonwealth Society, 1980-1987; Chairman, Graphic Communications Group Ltd, 1996-1998.

He was also Chairman, Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation Ltd, 2003-2008, and member, Advisory Board of the Institute of African Studies, Legon, 1991-to date. From 1999 to the present, he was a member of the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD). He was until his death the Chief Patron of Accra Great Olympics Sporting Club.

One of the legacies of the late Okuapehene is the Press Awards, which he organised for six conservative years before it was taken over by the Ghana Journalists Association GJA. 

According to media reports, every year, in the second week of December, Oseadeeyo organised a special durbar at Akuapem at which the Best Journalist who had been selected by the media practitioners themselves, was given a Special Akuapem Press Award.

Later on the GJA during the Presidency of Mrs Gifty Afenyi Dadzie, made him a Patron in recognition of his services to the quest for media excellence in Ghana.

One of the most testing events for the Okuapehene was the misunderstanding that arose in 1993 which led to a standoff between sections of the Akuapem State, namely the Nifa, Benkum and Adonteng Divisions which withheld their allegiance to the paramountcy.

The unfortunate dispute was resolved nearly 20 years later in 2013 as a result of strenuous efforts by the Eastern Regional Administration, religious leaders and above all, traditional rulers themselves under the leadership of the Okuapehene himself.

The year 2014 marked the 40th anniversary of Oseadeeyo on the Stool and the celebration of that milestone and the reunification of Akuapem were marked by one of the largest and most colourful Odwira celebrations in living memory.

The joy of the people and well wishers was palpable and one could only imagine the happiness of the Okuapehene as he knew he had secured the unity of the state and society.

President Mahama revealed at the Odwira durbar that Oseadeeyo Addo Dankwa had lamented many times that he feared he might leave a divided Akuapem instead of the United States that had been placed in his care.

The President urged other conflict areas of Ghana to learn from the Akuapem example of jaw-jaw instead of war-war.

One of the main legacies of the late Okuapehene is an elaboration of traditional rule and religion, especially Christianity as a harmonious relationship. Christianity and traditional rule have had an uneasy relationship largely due to a confusing interpretation of our indigenous institutions and culture by the early Christian missionaries.

This has caused unease and guilt among many royal households and traditional office bearers. But the Okuapehene was at ease in his role as both a devout Christian and a paramount ruler.

A divisional Chief of Akuapem told me that the Omanhene embodied the new understanding in his own lifestyle and enabled others to be relaxed too.

The late Okuapehene has presided over a period of peace which was not broken even when the aforementioned rift occurred. Akuapem has seen growth and expansion and the area could be at the take off point for tourism.

Perhaps this royal funeral could serve as the spur to realise that economic dream. It is obvious from his many lifelong associations and relationships that the Okuapehene’s funeral is a national affair and indications are that the Chiefs and people are ready to play host to those who will help the late ruler to his peaceful rest.

The late Oseadeeyo was a visionary who encouraged the long tradition of education in Akuapem; he realised the need to support media excellence at a time when most were not as concerned with that subject; he was a keen sportsman and enthusiast, a traditionalist who wore his Christian faith firmly and a man of peace.