Correspondence from Eastern Region

The Okyenhene, Osaagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin, has advised the new Okuapehene, Oseeadeyo Kwasi Akuffo II, not to see his current position as means to lord it over his people.

He said for without his people, he cannot be a relevant traditional leader, urging him to give optimum regard and respect to all and sundry, especially his kingmakers and other divisional chiefs.

Giving the advice on Tuesday when the Okuapehene paid a courtesy call on him at Kyebi, the Okyenhene urged the new Okuapehene not to hesitate in calling on him in times difficulty in his reign.

The Okyenhene expressed happiness about the peaceful installation of the Okuapehene and the fact that Okuapeman now has a substantive Paramount Chief.

He called for continuous peace in Akuapem and entreated the people of Akuapem to give the due regard to their new Okuapehene and forge ahead together in development.

He contended that even though time was lost in the five-year long chieftaincy dispute after the death of the late Oseeadeyo Addo Dankwa III, "nothing has been lost."

The Okyenhene advised that the dispute should be a lesson to all and the generations to come and purpose in their hearts and minds not to let it reoccur.

The courtesy call is the first official working visit of the Okuapehene after his installation last week.

A brief history indicates that the Ofori Panin stool has blood relations with the Ofori Kuma stool of Akuapem of which the former is the senior stool and the latter a junior stool.

Thus, the Okyenhene is regarded as the traditional uncle of the Okuapehene.

The purpose of the Okuapehene's visit, therefore, is to officially present himself, as Ofori Kuma, to his traditional uncle, the Ofori Panin.