Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 30 March '99

The Kumasi Traditional Council (KTC) have accepted the nomination of Barima Kwaku Duah, a 49-year-old business executive, as the successor of the late Asantehene, Otumfuo Opoku Ware the second. At an emergency meeting of the Council at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi, Nana Saaman Nantwi the second, Saamanhene and head of the Gyaase Division, informed the meeting that Nana Afua Kobi Serwaa Ampem the second, Asantehemaa, had nominated her son, Barima Kwaku Duah as the successor and he has been accepted by the Gyaase. Baffour Awuah the fifth, Bantamahene and head of the Kingmakers of the Golden Stool and acting President of the Council, thanked the Asantehemaa for the decision. Baffour Awuah said since there has been no objection by the members to Barima Dauh's nomination, he ordered his introduction to the Council. Later, the Saamanhene led Barima Duah in mourning cloth to the meeting and when his presence was announced, he removed his native sandals and shook hands with the Bantamahene to signify his acceptance by the Council. Baffour Awuah informed the meeting that a delegation would be sent to Nana Osei Bonsu the second, Mamponghene and Asanteman "Nwisiahene" tomorrow to inform him of the Asantehemaa's decision on the successor of the former Asantehene to be conveyed to the Asanteman Council. The Asanteman Council's acceptance of Barima Duah would lead to his confinement for 40 days prior to his installation and enstoolment. By Asante custom, royals aspiring to the Golden Stool are given the title "Barima" and after enstoolment he can adopt any title of his choice. Barima Duah, born in May 1950 to the present Asantehemaa, began his early childhood with his late uncle, Oheneba Mensah Bonsu, Hiahene of Kumasi. After his secondary education at Sefwi Wiawso Secondary School and Osei Kyeretwie Secondary School (OKESS) in Kumasi, he studied accounting at the Institute of Professional Studies (IPS) Legon in 1971. In 1973, Barima Duah proceeded to the United Kingdom to continue his accounting studies at Kilburn Polytechnic in Northwest London. Two years later, he shifted course and enrolled at the University of North London to read Human Resource Development and Public Administration. In 1980, Barima Duah moved to Canada where he worked with the Ontario Mutual Insurance Group in Toronto as a senior consultant for a year, during which he participated in a short term company-sponsored course at Toronto University. He returned to Britain in 1982 and was admitted into the membership of the British Institute of Personnel Management (IPM), the professional body for human resource practitioners in the United Kingdom in 1985. Barima Duah worked for Oxo, the famous British firm of food manufacturers as an accounts officer and with his membership of the IPM, he joined the Manpower Services Commission attached to the Brent Council in North London where he helped to develop and oversee projects to assist young unemployed youth from deprived communities to get into self-fulfilling employment. He returned to Ghana in 1989 to set up his own business and has acted as representatives of some highly reputable British and European companies in the mining sector. Barima Duah is married to Madam Yaa Akyaa with three children. Meanwhile, Barima Duah has generally been accepted by residents of Kumasi. A number of people the GNA spoke to approved of the choice and described it as "in the right direction". People are going about their normal duties.