As early as 7 a.m. last Monday, supporters, sympathisers and party activists of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) had started converging on the junction from various part of the region to meet the new minister of the region, who is also the Member of Parliament for the Asunafo South Constituency (MP).

However, it was until about 10 a.m. when his predecessor, Mr Kwadwo Nyamekye-Marfo, led a long convoy from Sunyani, the regional capital to escort his hitherto deputy and officially handed over the administration of the region to him.

Mr Opoku was in the company of the MP for Techiman, North Mr  Alex Kofi Kyeremeh and the MP for Nkoranza South, Mr Emmanuel Kwadwo Agyekum.

The welcoming party included members of the Regional Security Council (REGSEC), executive members of the NDC, District and Municipal Chief Executives (M/DCEs) in the region, as well as some heads of departments and agencies, among other groups.

Amid brass band music, the enthusiastic crowd sang and danced at the junction before the arrival of the regional minister and his entourage.

After a brief interaction at the junction and the pouring of libation, the former regional minister led Mr Opoku to the palace of the Omanhene of the Bechem Traditional Area, Nana Fosu Gyeabour Akoto II, as custom demanded to receive his blessing before he could go to take his seat in Sunyani.

At the palace, Mr Nyamekye-Marfo recalled a similar experience four years ago when he was appointed by the late President Prof J.E.A. Mills and was treated to a tumultuous ushering-in to the region at the same spot by a crowd to begin his work.

On behalf of the party, he presented Schnapps and other assorted drinks, as well as an undisclosed cash amount to the Bechemhene and his elders as tradition demanded.

 Mr Nyamekye-Marfo expressed his deepest gratitude to Nananom and the entire gathering for the unflinching support they accorded him during his tenure in office, and called for an extension of same to his successor.

The Omanhene, on his part, pledged the support of the traditional authorities to the new head of the regional co-ordinating council (RCC) and wished him well to continue the development projects and programmes which were started by his predecessor.

He advised Mr Opoku to bring everyone on board in the discharge of his administration, saying love was principal  as he assumed such an office and also urged him to ‘‘stomach’’ all sorts of unpalatable and uncomplimentary words directed at him, as a true leader.

Mr Opoku, also paid glowing tribute to Mr Nyamekye-Marfo, whom he described as his mentor, pledgeing to work closely with him, chiefs and elders at all times.

He has also pledged to administer an open-door policy where everybody can approach the RCC at any given time.

He underscored the need for the chiefs to endeavour to settle all the pending chieftaincy disputes in the region to pave the way for effective development in the various communities.

The Omanhene and his elders presented a ram and drinks to the new regional minister as a sign to welcome him home.

From Bechem, Mr Nyamekye-Marfo led Mr Opoku to the palace of the Omanhene of the Duayaw Nkwanta Traditional Area, Nana Boakye Tromo, who also advised the new regional minister to focus on the development of the region.

A similar whistle stop was made at Abesim to greet the chief of the town, Barima Kumi Acheaw.

Finally, on arrival in Sunyani, Mr Nyamekye-Marfo took Mr Opoku to the Sunyanihene’s palace where Nana Bosoma Asor NkrawiriII and his divisional chiefs and elders were waiting to receive the new regional minister.

In a related development, Mr Opoku, accompanied by M/DCEs and party executive members, visited the Omanhene of the Yeji Traditional Area, Pemampem Yaw Kagbrese VI and his elders at Yeji to introduce himself.

Pemampem Kagbrese, who is also the President of the Brong Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs, invoked the blessings of God and the ancestors on Mr Opoku to enable him discharge his duties conscientiously.

From Yeji, he and his entourage paid a similar visit to the Pranghene, Nana Kwadwo Nyarko III, the Nkoranzamanhene Okatakyie Agyeman Kudom IV, as well as the Techiman, Odomase, Fiapre and Atebubu traditional councils.

At the time of filing this report, the new minister had drawn up a programme to visit the other traditional authorities in the region to introduce himself before he finally settles down.

Story by Akwasi Ampratwum-Mensah