Wadie Adwumakase gets Krontihene after 70 years
A 51-year-old businessman based in Kumasi, Mr Owusu Afriyie, has been installed the Krontihene of Wadie Adwumakase near Mampongten in the Kwabre East District of the Ashanti Region.
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Under the stool name, Nana Owi Asamoah II, he succeeds Nana Kwaku Agyei of the Asene Clan who died in 1944.
At a grand durbar held at the royal forecourt at Wadie Adwumakase, Mr Afriyie swore the oath of allegiance to the Wadie Adwumakasehene, Obrempong Wadie Asim II, who also doubles as the Pomponsuohene of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
Ceremony nearly marred
Some extended family members of the Asene Clan nearly brought the installation to a halt when they tried to prevent Mr Afriyie from swearing the oath of allegiance.
A security detail fired gun-shots before the aggrieved persons finally left the ceremony for the swearing-in and installation to continue.
Mr Afriyie, after being sworn in, was carried on the shoulders and introduced to the whole community as the new Kontihene.
Education of masses
In interview with the Daily Graphic after the ceremony, Mr Afriyie said education was one of the priorities dear to his heart.
He expressed the belief that with advancement in education, the community and, for that matter society, could make steady progress for its socio-economic development.
He said there was the need to institute an education fund to support the education of schoolchildren in the area and gave the assurance that he would collaborate with the Wadie Adwumakasehene to design strategies to promote quality and affordable education in the area.
Mobilisation of the youth
Additionally, the new chief indicated that he would mobilise the youth in the area by engaging them in technical and vocational training to enhance private sector development and reduce unemployment in the area in particular and the country as a whole.
He called for peace, unity and support for the speedy development of the area.