FROM Daniel Y Dayee, Berekum
THE PEOPLE of Berekum last Monday thronged the Omanhene Palace and some principal streets of town to hail and welcome their new paramount chief Odeafour Kyere Diabour Asante II as he was enstooled and outdoored by the kingmakers of the traditional Council.
The ceremony and witnessed by a representative of the Manhyia palace, kyeame Bonsu
Known in private life as Kyere Asante and 64, Odeafour Kyere Diabour Asante II succeeds the immediate paramount chief of area, Daasebre Dr Amankona Diawuo II who passed on in 2023.
The short and colourful ceremony was heavily fortified by huge presence of the police both at the palace and on some principal streets of the town.
The ceremony begun after liibation was poured to the ancesotrs immediately the queen mother, Nana Akosua Ameyaahene II and council of elders( sub-chiefs) arrived and sat in state.
Amidst drumming, singing and dancing and clad in black clothing the people jubilate and hail the new chief saying it is the beginning of a dawn.
A representative of Otumfuo Asantehene identified only as kyeame Bonsu stated the reason for his presence at the Berekum Omanhene Palace. According to him, all necessary customary rites and tradition regarding choosing a rightful candidate to the Berekum throne has been performed and accepted by Manhyia.
He noted, ‘The queen mother was directed by Otumfuo to follow laid down traditions and customs of the people of Berekum to select the best candidate among the contenders to ascend the throne saying the rightful person has been selected so today is the day to outdoor the person you have chosen for yourselves’.
Holding a staff as a symbol of authority Mr. Kyere Asante swore to the kingmakers and elders of the traditional Council and pledged to be of good behaviour and continue the good works of his predecessors.
He pledged never to depart from tradition and customs of the people emphasing failure to abide by the rules should spell his doom( Penalty) .
According to him, he was succeeding his uncle as the Omanhene of Berekum by the stool name Odeafour Kyere Diabour Asante II. This drew cheers and dancing to traditional fontomfrom.
He was carried should high paraded through some principal streets of Berekum amidst drumming, singing and dancing.
Citizens lined the streets to hail him as they take pictures of him with their cell phones
Odeafour Kyere Diabour Asante II in his full regalia sat in state and was flanged by the queen mother of the traditional area, Nana AkosuaAmeyaaheneII and other sub-chiefs including Benkum, kyedom, Twafour, Gyasehene and all other members of the traditional council.
The council of elders subsequently took turns to swear to him and pledge allegiance to be at his beck and call any time during the day and night.
Prior to ascending the throne, he was advised by the Otumfour representative and other sub-chiefs to unite the people of Berekum for development.
‘You must bring together those who contested against you and opposed your ascension to the throne so there is unity and peace’. They urged him to rule the people with respect and show submissions to all manner of persons.
‘Unite with the queen mother so both of you can rally the people for development’.
You are known to be humble continue with it, we don’t expect you to change character by lording yourself over those who enstooled you.
They also advised the chief never to forget his route noting the ancestors fought to build the community with their blood so should always remember them. He is also to ensure resources are distributed equitabily and faily to avoid displeasure.
Kyeame Bonsu maintained the people of Berekum need development so the new chief must encourage development in education, health, job creation for the teaming unemployed youth, prevent galamsey but rather find better sustainable ways to explore the mineral resources to benefit them.
Later in an interview with the media, Odeafour Kyere Diabour Asante II said his vision was to unite nananom for sustainable development, encourage a discipline society, empower the youth through job creation, educational develooment, ensure good sanitation and peaceful co-existence among all Berekum citizens.
The new Berekumhene is married with two children and is a businessman who hither to his enstoolment was domiciled in Germany.
He pleads with the people to support him rule together to develop the communities for the betterment of all living in Berekum.