Kwahu’s longest-reigning chief dies

The Chief of Kwahu Pepease, Nana Ampadu Okyere II, is gone home to join his ancestors, but his memory is widespread in his rather large nuclear family. Leaving behind seven wives, 36 children, 114 grandchildren and 33 great grandchildren, Nana Ampadu Okyere II had indeed manifested one of his sterling qualities in life –love for people.

He was blessed with long life and long reign, passing away at age 99 having ruled for 63 years. He gained the reputation as the longest-reigning chief in the Kwahu Traditional Area and also one of the oldest chiefs in the country. 

Nana Ampadu Okyere, known in private life as Odehye Kwaku Oduro, was enstooled as the Pepeasehene in April 1950, at the age of 36. 

Development projects 

He worked for the expansion of educational facilities at Pepease following which the local Roman Catholic continuation school was converted into secondary / technical school. 

Other development projects provided in the town through the influence of the chief included a modern post office, electricity supply, pipe-borne water and a bible college. 

He encouraged his people to establish the Kwahu Rural Bank at Pepease in 1979, whose permanent structures were put up in the town in 2000. 

One remarkable achievement of the chief is that he has striven to unite his people to such an extent that the area did not experience any litigation during his reign. He would be buried in May, this year.