Veep mourns with Okuapeman

Akropong (E/R), Feb. 8, GNA - Vice President Kwesi Amissah-Arthur joined hundreds of mourners for the funeral of Oseadeeyo Addo Dankwa III, Okuapehene at Akropong Akuapem in the Eastern Region.

Vice President Amissah-Arthur, who was accompanied by Mr Antwi Boasiako Sekyere, the Outgoing Eastern Regional Minister and Deputy, Ms Mavis Frimpong to the burial ceremony, also filed past the body of the late Okuapehene.

Other important dignitaries in his entourage included Mr Seidu Danaa, the Minister of Chieftaincy and Culture, Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketia, General Secretary of the NDC, and Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, first Vice Chairman of the NDC.

Former President Kufuor and some former Ministers of State as well as leaders and representatives of other political parties were present at the funeral.

The huge ceremony was attended by hundreds of citizens from the Akuapem traditional area and Chiefs from various parts of the country, all dressed in black and red attire amidst the chanting of war songs by the Asafo groups and firing of muskets.

There were tributes from the widow, children, siblings, the three Asona Ruling Royal Houses of Akropong, Akuapem Traditional Council and the National House of Chiefs among others.

Oseadeeyo Addo Dankwa III, 85, known in private life as Stephen Afari-Djan before ascending the Oforikuma stool, was born at Tutu Ahyiamu on April 19, 1930 to Mr Geofrey Afari Djan and Beatrice Djan. He was the first of 10 children.

He started his primary education in 1939 at the Methodist Primary School at Bekwai in the Ashanti region.

The family later relocated to Asesewa in the Eastern region where Oseadeeyo was brought to Akropong to continue his education at the Presbyterian Junior School and later Presbyterian Middle Boys School.

He had his secondary education at Presbyterian Boys Secondary School, Odumase Krobo where he obtained the Cambridge School Certificate. He also obtained his 'A' level and intermediate BSc Economics Certificates in October 1956.

Oseadeeyo was admitted to the University College of Ghana and completed in 1960 with BSc Economics-University of London Degree. After his graduation he worked in different capacities and held many important positions in the country.

Oseadeeyo Addo Dankwa III was installed the Paramount Chief of Akuapem Traditional Area in 1974, at the age of forty-four.

He was the 25th Okuapehene and reigned for forty-one years, a feat he described to be grace and glory of the almighty God.

He is therefore reputed to be the longest reigning Okuapehene since the formation of the Akuapem State.

Due to his astute leadership qualities in his capacity as the Paramount Chief of the Akuapem traditional area, Oseadeeyo combined the services to his people with the service of the nation.

The late Oseadeeyo left behind his wife, Gloria Ayebea Djan and five children namely Emmanuel aka Nana Kofi Djan, Beatrice, Michael, Tony and Karen (Nana Dokua).

Rev. Dr K. Opuni Frimpong, General Secretary of the Christian Council of Ghana in sermon, urged Ghanaians to put their trust in the Lord for their works on earth to follow them. He also asked leaders in the country to leave a legacy which they could be remembered by them.

He explained that the greatness of a leader was not the number of people who served that person but the number of people that person's life impacted upon.

He called for peace in the Akuapem Traditional Area during the selection of a successor to Oseadeeyo Addo Dankwa III.

The government delegation later presented an amount of GH₵10,000.00 and assorted drinks including crates of minerals, beer and schnapps to the Akuapem Traditional Council towards the funeral.

GNA