Obeng II

Last updated

HRH Oheneba Nana Kwame Obeng II is the recognized traditional sovereign leader of the Sefwi Obeng-Mim stool lands and Chief of the Royal House of Sefwi Obeng-Mim in the Republic of Ghana. He is the ruler, and Toufohene (grand master) of the dynastic orders, of Sefwi Obeng-Mim stool lands, a subnational kingdom in the Sefwi Wiawso Traditional Territory of Ghana. He was appointed by the Paramount Chief as a Divisional Chief, overseeing other local chieftaincies.

Contents

Constitutional status

Ghana's is a republic. However, the constitution recognizes the local and tribal sovereignty of traditional rulers, and their accession to the throne is approved by government agencies. [1] The traditional leaders are connected through their regional House of Chiefs and the National House of Chiefs, as well as the Ghanaian Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religion.

Sefwi Obeng-Mim is a subnational kingdom or chieftaincy in the Sefwi Wiawso Traditional Territory of Ghana. Like other traditional rulers or monarchies in Ghana, under the Constitution of the Republic, he is a reigning non-ruling sovereign prince under the Omanhene (Paramount Chief), of the Sefwi Wiawso Traditional Area. [2] [3] [4] He was appointed by the Paramount Chief as a Divisional Chief, overseeing other local chieftaincies. He was appointed by the Paramount Chief as a Divisional Chief, overseeing other local chieftaincies, and the Sefwi Wiawso Traditional Council appointed him the international Director of Culture and a goodwill ambassador of the Traditional Area.

Family

HRH Oheneba Nana Kwame Obeng II is the son of HM Katakyei Kwasi Bumagamah, Paramount Chief of Sefwi Wiawso, and HRH Akua Sarwaah Ohene Tuasuo of the Obeng dynasty. The name Oheneba means "son of the king". As the Paramount's son, Obeng II had the opportunity to pursue higher studies. [5] [2] [ self-published source ] Following Akan tradition, the chieftaincy of Sefwi Obeng-Mim is matrilineal. Obeng II is a descendent of Queen Mother Nana Abena Kra, second wife of Obeng I, the founder of the dynastic house. [5] [ self-published source ]

The Royal family of Sefwi Obeng-Mim is related to the Royal family from Ahafo Kwapong, which is part of the Ashanti Empire. The oral tradition is that there were two brothers, Obeng and Asante. Both were hunters whose game fed the Asantehene, which their family had done for two hundred years. The two brothers eventually moved from Kumasi to settle at the modern day Kwapong. Moreover, Obeng, the younger brother, moved with his wife, Nana Yaa Odei, across the river Sayere to settle in the lands of the Sefwi people.

Nana Obeng II’s mother’s family descends from the Asante people while his father descends from the Sefwi people. Obeng II’s mother was named after one of the Ashanti deities, Hene Tuasuo.

Obeng II is related to the current Asantehene, HIM Otumfuo Nana Osei Tutu II, as HIM graduated from the Sefwi Wiaso Secondary School and was taught by the late Omanhene of Sefwi Wiawso, HM Nana Kwadwo Aduhene II, a cousin of Otumfuo's guardian uncle at the time, HRH Oheneba Mensah Bonsu, Chief of the Hia stool (Hiahene) of the Royal House of Kyidom in the Ashanti empire (named after the 11th Asantehene).

Reign

Oheneba Nana Kwame Obeng II ascended the throne on 3 June 2016. [5] [ self-published source ] [2] He introduced many reforms to modernize and develop the kingdom. With the help of local and international consultants, he established a royal school, solved drinking water supply, introduced solar electrification, and proper documentation of family lands. In addition, he developed cocoa production methods and launched bridge and road construction works. [5] [ self-published source ] [6] [7] Obeng II also took action against illegal mining. [8] He has continued the work of HM Katakyei Kwasi Bumagamah, who, with now HM King Charles III, began the advocacy and policy making in Ghana to protect the rainforests in the traditional area and creating a more robust Forestry Commission.

Obeng II founded two dynastic orders of Akan warriors which forms his international asafo .

Dynastic honors and awards

HRH Oheneba Nana Kwame Obeng II is an innovator. Nana Obeng II has created an international community and network of supporters, forming an international Royal House whose mission is to serve with honor and worthiness. To fight the war on illiteracy, poverty, disease, and unemployment, Obeng II, as Tufohene, created an international Asafo, marshaling warriors to fight alongside him for the rights and welfare of Sefwi Obeng-Mim, and all people around the world, courageously. The Asafo is composed of two regiments:

The Golden Fire Dog and Obeng II are the two regiments, also called “royal orders”. The members of the adafo are “Kofo” or noble warriors. As a sovereign prince/traditional chief under the Constitution of the Republic of Ghana and customs and traditions of Akan and Sefwi people, the Oheneba and the Tufohene Nana Obeng II has the traditional authority to form his Asafo or "dynastic royal order" and grant, appoint, and bestow titles and ranks to his warriors. Since 2019, these warriors have done amazing work under the Tufohene for the people of Obeng-Mim and the development of the stool lands.

In 2024 the Ministry in Chieftaincy and Religion of the Republic of Ghana confirmed the royal orders as valid traditional honors under the royal protection of the Omanhene of Sefwi Wiawso and recognized by the nation-state. The orders recognized are:

Oheneba Foundation

Obeng II established a Ghanaian non-profit corporation for socio-economic development. A sister foundation was established in the USA and is a registered 501c3 nonprofit. The Foundations in USA and Ghana also work in partnership with the Wiawso Traditional Council as all development is interdependent.

International advocacy

Sefwi Obeng-Mim is composed of numerous farming communities in the Juabeso District in the Western Region of the Republic of Ghana. The Obeng-Mim Stool lands have about 1,500 people, many of whom are subsistent cocoa farmers. The primary development area is located in the middle of the Krokosue Forest Reserve under the Sefwi Wiawso Traditional Area, one of the largest forest reserves in Ghana. Due to the location of the community, it is difficult to access the most basic developmental projects by the central government and government funding. Providing safe and clean potable water, as well as medical and educational development, as well as other human services, is left to the traditional chieftaincy institution in Ghana.

Since HRH enstoolment, he has been an advocate in Ghana as well as internationally, meeting with various dignitaries and humanitarian groups. He has traveled to Singapore, Turkey, Hong Kong, and Indonesia to meet with the Russian ambassador to Singapore, the Singapore Minister for Culture, Community, and Youth and the Second Minister for Law, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine, the Secretary of Commerce and Economic Development of Hong Kong SAR government, the Indonesian Sultanate of Gowa, and princely dignitaries Abu Dhabi. In Ghana he worked with the Ambassador of Peru to Ghana, as well as the Ambassador of India in Ghana.

Honors received

Obeng II is one of the most successful traditional rulers in Ghana and has received many local and international accolades. Nana Obeng II has received the following honors: [5] [ self-published source ]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Otumfuo Nana Osei Tutu II</span> Ghanaian monarch of Asante

Osei Tutu II is the 16th Asantehene, enstooled on 26 April 1999. By name, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II is in direct succession to the 17th-century founder of the Ashanti Empire, Otumfuo Osei Tutu I. He is also the Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. A Freemason, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has served as the Grand Patron of the Grand Lodge of Ghana, the Sword Bearer of the United Grand Lodge of England and the Grand Patron of the Grand Lodge of Liberia.

The Akan people are a Kwa group living primarily in present-day Ghana and in parts of Ivory Coast and Togo in West Africa. The Akan speak dialects within the Central Tano branch of the Potou–Tano subfamily of the Niger–Congo family. Subgroups of the Akan people include: the Agona, Akuapem, Akwamu, Akyem, Anyi, Ashanti, Baoulé, Bono, Chakosi, Fante, Kwahu, Sefwi, Wassa, Ahanta, and Nzema, among others. The Akan subgroups all have cultural attributes in common; most notably the tracing of royal matrilineal descent in the inheritance of property, and for succession to high political office. All Akans are considered royals in status, but not all are in royal succession or hold titles.

The Efutu are a Guang people that are the original inhabitants of present-day Ghana. They founded the coastal area about 1390 C.E. The Efutu are found in Awutu, Adina, Senya-Beraku and Winneba and their main occupation is fishing. Their mighty Guan culture have had influence on neighbouring Akan cultures.Akans,especially the borbor Mfantsefo had adopted their names and some cultural elements and fused it with theirs through integration to produce modern cultures which is shared by both the Guan people of Winneba and their Akan neighbours.However,Efutu just like other Guans states have a patrilineal system of succession. The Simpa Kingdom was formed about 1400 AD.

Akyempimhene, or vice-king, is the title bestowed upon one of the chiefs in the Ashanti Kingdom, located in Ghana, Africa. The throne is occupied by a son of any Ashanti king (Asantehene), and he takes care of the royal family. The Akyempimhene represents the king, along with the king's sub-chiefs. He is also part of the Kumasi traditional council, which oversees the city. The current Akyempimhene is Oheneba Adusei Poku, son of the late Otumfuo Nana Poku Ware. Oheneba was enstooled in 1992. He is a Harvard Law School graduate.

In many parts of West Africa, there is an old chieftaincy tradition, and the Akan people have developed their own hierarchy, which exists alongside the democratic structure of the country. The Akan word for the ruler or one of his various courtiers is "Nana". In colonial times, Europeans translated it as "chief", but that is not an exact equivalent. Other sources speak of "kings", which is also not entirely correct, especially in the case of the said courtiers. The term "chief" has become common even among modern Ghanaians, though it would be more correct to use the expression "Nana" without translation wherever possible.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Opoku Ware II</span> Asantehene of Asanteman

Otumfuo Opoku Ware II was the 15th Asantehene. He succeeded his uncle Osei Tutu Agyeman Prempeh II on 27 July 1970. He ruled for 29 years until his death in February 1999. He was succeeded by Otumfuo Nana Osei Tutu II.

In several Akan nations of Ghana, the Omanhene is the title of the supreme traditional ruler ('king') in a region or a larger town. The omanhene is the central figure and institution of the nation. Officially, he has no function in the current Ghanaian political setup, but, has enormous influence on the people that constitute it. Today 'Hene' can be found in titles of other rulers in Ghanaian nations. For example, the chief of the Dagomba in the north of Ghana is known as the 'Dagombahene'.

The Sefwi are an Akan people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sefwi Wiawso</span> District Capital in Western North Region, Ghana

Sefwi Wiawso is a town in the Sefwi-Wiawso Municipal District in the Western North Region of Ghana. It doubles as the capital of Sefwi-Wiawso Municipal District and Western North Region. Wiawso serves as the traditional seat for the Omanhene of Sefwi-Wiawso traditional area. The settlement of Wiawso began on hilltop with Sefwi-Dwenase settlement occupying the lowlands. Overtime, Wiawso and Sefwi-Dwenase have conurbated with almost all the financial institutions, governmental agency-offices, lorry terminals and the main market all located in Sefwi Dwenase. Wiawso is known for producing timber, cocoa and cashew. One of Ghana's 261 Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), Sefwi Wiawso Municipal is a member of the 22 MMDAs in the Western North Region. Legislative Instrument (L.I) 1386, which was passed on November 23, 1988, formed the Municipality and designated Wiawso as its official capital. Based on the 2021 population and residential census, there are 151,220 people living in the Municipality, including 75,905 men and 75,315 women.

There are four orders in Ghana: Order of the Star of Ghana, Order of the Volta, Medal for Gallantry and Grand Medal. These were instituted in 1960 as a replacement for the British honours system that was conferred under the Gold Coast and the Dominion of Ghana. The first National Honors and Awards ceremony under the new system was administered by Ghana's first president Kwame Nkrumah.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Akrafena</span> Ashanti swords originating from Ghana

An Akrafena is an Ashanti sword, originally meant for warfare but also forming part of Ashanti heraldry. The foremost example of an akrafena is the Mponponsuo, which belonged to Opoku Ware II. It has survived to the present day because it is still occasionally used in ceremonies, such as the Akwasidae Festival.

Nana Otuo Siriboe is a Ghanaian traditional ruler, electrical engineer and entrepreneur. He is the Omanhene of the Juaben traditional area. He has served in several capacities in chieftaincy affairs and held many Government of Ghana appointments. He is currently the Chairman of the eighth Council of State of the Fourth Republic.

Nana Kwame Akuoko Sarpong, is a traditional ruler, a politician and a lawyer. He is the paramount chief or Omanhene of the Agogo Traditional Area of Ghana. He served as Secretary for Health, Secretary for Internal Affairs and Secretary for Chieftaincy Affairs in the PNDC government. He also served as a member of the council of state in the fourth Republic.

The chieftaincy institution in Ghana is a system that structures and regulates the activity of local chieftains in the Ghanaian society and state. This institution served as the governing structure of various societies prior to European Colonisation.

Okogyeabour Nkuah Okomdom II was a traditional ruler and Paramount chief of the Sefwi Wiawso Traditional Area in the Western Region of Ghana from 1997 to 2011.

The political organization of the historical Ashanti Empire was characterized by stools which denoted "offices" that were associated with a particular authority. The Golden Stool was the most powerful of all, because it was the office of the King of the Ashanti Empire. Scholars such as Jan Vansina have described the governance of the Ashanti Empire as a federation where state affairs were regulated by a council of elders headed by the king, who was simply primus inter pares.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mim, Ahafo</span> City in Ahafo region, Ghana

Mim is a city in the Asunafo North Municipal District in the Ahafo Region of Ghana. It is a nodal town between Sunyani and Goaso on the N12 Highway. The distance from Mim to Sunyani is 64 km whiles that of Mim to Goaso is 14 km. Mim has direct routes to: Kumasi; Kenyasi;Dormaa Ahenkro; Sunyani; Nkrankwanta and Sefwi Debiso.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oheneba</span>

Oheneba is a regal rank given to both female or male child of a king or chief. It is the equivalent of prince or princess.

Nana Kwabena Wiafe also known as Nana Kwabena Wiafe Ababio or, in private life, Kwabena Sanwo Ansah, was a traditional ruler and Omanhene of Offinso Traditional Area. He is known to be the first Offinso royal to be enstooled twice in Offinso history. He reigned from 1935 to 1945 and from 1959 to 1966.

References

  1. ↑ Bendezú Untiveros, Raúl Eduardo (2021-05-15). "Los caminos semióticos de la Nueva Teoría Estratégica". Razón y Palabra. 25 (110). doi: 10.26807/rp.v25i110.1768 . ISSN   1605-4806.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Kingdom of Sefwi Obeng-Mim – The Arlington Herald" . Retrieved 2023-12-29.
  3. ↑ "Royal patron – HSA" . Retrieved 2023-12-29.
  4. ↑ Redacción (2019-11-03). "Asamblea Extraordinaria De La H.N.M.E. En Granada". El Monárquico (in Spanish). Retrieved 2023-12-29.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 LLC, Moonlight Computing. "Royal House of Sefwi Obeng-Mim". royalhousemim.org. Retrieved 2023-12-29.
  6. ↑ zrzutka.pl (2021-10-17). "Plantacja kakao w Ghanie - kawałek Polski w Afryce". zrzutka.pl. Retrieved 2023-12-29.
  7. ↑ "Ghana School Projects". tuscanyglobal.com. Retrieved 2023-12-29.
  8. ↑ "Money Matters", Dear Doctor, 1517 Media, pp. 131–140, 2020-08-11, doi:10.2307/j.ctvzcz2sn.15 , retrieved 2023-12-29
  9. 1 2 "Augustan Society | Recognized Fontes Honorum". www.augustansociety.org. Retrieved 2023-12-29.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.