Hon. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, Minister for Communications and MP for Ablekuma West has graciously accepted the offer to become the development queen (Nkosuohemaa) of Akyem Asuom in the Kwaebibirem District of the Eastern Region.

The offer was made to her by the Chiefs and people of Asuom when she attended the 75th Anniversary celebration of Nana Yaa Anamah II, the longest-serving queen mother of Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Area at Asuom on Saturday, 11th November, 2017.

When Hon. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, who represented the President, arrived at the Durbar grounds in the company of Hon. Carlos Kingsley Ahenkorah, Deputy Minister for Trade and MP for Tema West, who incidentally hails from Asuom, she was hailed and mobbed by jubilant crowd; and the security guards on duty had a hell of time urshering her to her seat.

When the Master of Ceremonies formally announced the presence of Hon. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful to the gathering, she became the cynosure of all eyes at the durbar. Many were those who were seeing her in person for the first time. But, it was the mention of her virtues, educational and political backgrounds and achievements in life as a woman of substance which influenced the chiefs and people of Asuom to make her the Development Queen (Nkosuohemaa).

In her acceptance speech, Hon. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful assured the people of Asuom that she will team up with other prominent natives of the Constituency such as Hon. Carlos Kingsley Ahenkorah, Hon. Kwasi Amoako-Attah, Minister of Roads & Highways, Hon. Antwi Boasiako, DCE of Kade, Hon. Ohemeng-Tinyase, MP for Kade, Oheneba Charles and others to bring development to the town.

She expressed the President’s delight to note that the longest-serving queen mother of AKyem Abuakwa is from Asuom; and assured Nana Yaa Anamah that her prayerful wish that a Vocational Training Centre should be built and named after her will be supported by Government.

In a congratulatory message read on behalf of Osagyefou Amoatia Ofori Panin, Okyenhene, the Adontenhene of Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Area, Daasebre Boamah Darko, said: “Your courage, politeness and intelligence that have characterized your image always leave an indelible positive impact on the people you meet and interact with. Without a doubt, Nana Yaa Anamah, you have distinguished yourself in the performance of your customary and statutory duties throughout your seventy-five years (75) on the throne as the Asuomhemaa.

This is the reason for which you have been awarded the OKYEMAN KANEA by the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council presided by me, Osagyefou Amoatia Ofori-Panin, Okyenhene, and Asuomman is crowning it all with this colourful durbar”.

Her Royal Majesty, Nana Adutwumwaa Dokua II, Okyenhemaa also congratulated Nana Yaa Anamah II, saying, “Indeed, any nation that does not honour its heroes and heroines is not worth dying for. Nana Yaa Anamah has devoted her whole life serving the chiefs and people of Asuom and Akyem Abuakwa. Enstooled at her tender age of about 25 years, Nana Yaa Anamah has served her people for more than 75 years; and we thank God that she is alive today to be celebrated”.

Osabarima Ofosuhene Apenteng II, Asuomhene, led the chiefs and people of Asuom to present a Citation and gifts to Nana Yaa Anamah. He said the sons and daughters of Asuom are proud of her latest highest “OKYEMAN KANEA” award conferred on her by Okyenhene. The Asuom chief continued that the award is a clear manifestation that she did not serve Asuomman alone, but the Akyem Abuakwa and Ghana as a whole.

MCE of Suhum, Mad. Margaret Mensah, who represented the first Lady, Her Excellency, Mrs. Rebecca Akufo-Addo, presented items and cash donations to Nana Yaa Anamah.

Congratulatory messages were also offered by Hon. Carlos Kingsley Ahenkorah, Hon. Antwi Boasiako, DCE of Kwaebibirem District Assembly and Hon. Kwabena Ohemeng-Tinyase, MP for Kade.

An appeal for funds to raise money to build the Vocational Training Centre has been launched with support expected from the President and his wife, Ministers, MPs, Ministry of Education, Corporate bodies and donations from the sons and daughters of Asuom.