Gloria Alija enstooled as Mpuntuhemaa; launches Foundation to drive community development

In a landmark effort to advance development and improve community welfare, the traditional authorities of Badukrom-Kokwado in the Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam District of the Central Region have officially enstooled Mrs. Gloria Alija, an employee of Gold Fields Ghana Limited in Tarkwa, as the Mpuntuhemaa (Development Queen Mother) to spearhead development in the agrarian community.

Now installed as Nana Aba Kum I, the new queen mother envisions championing transformational initiatives to improve residents' living conditions through education, skills development, and enhanced access to social amenities.

During a colourful coronation ceremony, Nana Kum was carried in a palanquin through the community and later taken to the durbar grounds, where she took an oath before the chiefs and people to faithfully discharge her new mandate.

In her first official act, she commissioned a mechanised borehole with a 1,000-litre reservoir to supply the community with clean, safe drinking water during the coronation.

She also launched the Nana Aba Kum Foundation, an initiative dedicated to supporting education, providing vocational skills training for the youth, and offering livelihood support to the less privileged. The foundation immediately kicked off a fundraising campaign for the construction of an ultra-modern basic school with ICT facilities—a project the community had long requested.

Nana Kum explained that her vision involves mobilising support from the government, corporate organisations, NGOs, and benevolent individuals to execute critical development projects. She noted that land had already been secured for the proposed school project and emphasised that the community is home to many brilliant children whose potential could be unlocked through quality education and skills training.

“I am here solely for the development of this community. I cannot do it alone and need everyone’s support. Let us work together in unity, love, and peace,” she appealed. She specifically called on NGOs, the Member of Parliament and Finance Minister Mr. Cassiel Ato Forson, the Ajumako District Chief Executive (DCE), corporate bodies, and other development partners to back the community’s development agenda.

Nana Kum, currently the Personal Assistant to the Managing Director and Executive Vice President of Gold Fields Ghana Limited in Tarkwa, expressed gratitude to the chiefs and people of Badukrom-Kokwadom for the confidence reposed in her and pledged to serve diligently.

Okoamankra Kwame Akonu X, Vice President of the Central Regional House of Chiefs and Omanhene of the Enyan Abaasa Traditional Area, similarly noted that development drives progress and improves living conditions. He urged the community to give Nana Kum 1 the necessary support to succeed.

Nana Blay XI, Ankernyinhen of Ahanta West, expressed confidence in the newly installed queen mother, noting her competence and commitment. Daasebre Kwebu Ewusi VII, Paramount Chief of the Abeadze Traditional Area and Board Chairman of the Water Resources Commission of Ghana, urged residents to rally behind Nana Kum, stressing that meaningful development requires collective effort. A representative of Odeefo Amoakwa Buadu VIII, President of the Central Regional House of Chiefs, similarly impressed upon the community to offer the queen mother their support and prayers.

Mr. Michael Essilfie Nelson, Tema Sector Commander of the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority and Chairman of the occasion, noted that sustainable development is essential for improving lives and livelihoods. He explained that this was why stakeholders wholly supported the mechanised borehole project to provide reliable potable water. Observing that Nana Kum's enormous responsibility requires collective backing, he appealed to individuals, corporate bodies, and development partners to support her agenda and commended her for launching the foundation to mobilise resources.