The Etwienanahene of Akyem Abuakwa, Barima Kwaku Dua, has conferred the title Aboetr?wura on the 2012 presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party, Nana Akufo-Addo.

Nana Akufo-Addo, a grandson of the Okyeman royal family, had his four decades of selfless service to Ghana, honoured by his household, at a ceremony which took place in the presence of the Okyenhene, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin and his elders on Friday at Ofori Panin Fie in Kyebi.

Aboter?wura translates into a “man of exceptional tolerance, perseverance, compassion and patience.”

“With patience, tolerance, courage and a pragmatic sense of urgency, you have, for the last four decades, led from the front the processes that have today made Ghana a peaceful, democratic and respectful nation in Africa today. You have contributed more than your quota to making Ghana a role model for the rest of the continent. Still, you continue to contribute. You continue to serve. You continue to lead,” his citation read in part.

The low key but colourful ceremony was part of the three days of events to mark the first anniversary of Barima Kwaku Dua's enstoolment.

Reading the citation, Mrs Rhoderline Baffour-Gyimah, said, “We honour you, for your selfless sacrifice to humankind. For your courageous patriotism to your country. For your depthless tolerance of all that is done falsely against your person. For your patience. For your sincerity. For your consistency. For your conviction. For your determination to see Ghana becoming a free and prosperous society. For your commitment to building a society of opportunities for every Ghanaian, no matter the circumstances of birth.”

“Over the years, you have used your wisdom, knowledge and energy to fight, without the tools of war, but with your courage and conviction as your weapons. You fought for our democracy and development. You did not fight for your family, for your ethnic group or for your region. You fought for all Ghanaians,” she added.

The citation which focused on Akufo-Addo’s patriotic service to Ghana, his fight for the ordinary people and his vision to transform Ghana, also described him as a role model and symbol of hope for the youth of Ghana.

Those at the ceremony included Odehye Atta Akyea, MP for Abuakwa South, Odehye Nana Poku, Edward Akufo-Addo, Ken Ofori-Atta, Chairman of Databank, Joe Ofori-Atta, Director, Woolworths Africa, Michael Ofori-Atta, CEO of Buildmart, and Asare Otchere-Darko, CEO, Global Dynamix.