Okyenhen to visit the UK from 27 June
Okyenhen arriving at a durbar
07 - 07 - 2003: - Ghana's track record in governance is good -
Paul Boateng
07 - 07 - 2003: - I have passion for sustainable
development-Okyenhen
01 - 07 - 2003: - Okyenhen wants
traditional authorities to licence timber loggers
01 - 07 - 2003: - Okyenhen commends Prince Charles
30 - 06 - 2003: - Okyenhen calls for
development of relations based on mutual respect
30 - 06 - 2003: - Okyenhen
arrives in London
29 - 06 - 2003: - Okyenhen calls for
support from the people
25 - 06 - 2003: - Okyenhen to visit
the UK from 27 June
25 - 06 - 2003: - Itinerary for
Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin II, Okyenhen
Ghana's track record in governance is
good - Paul Boateng
London (UK) 07 July 2003 - Hon Paul Boateng, British Chief Secretary to the Treasury has praised Ghana's track record in good governance.
He said the example set by the Government in relation to its adherence to the principles of good governance and transparency was appreciated by Her Majesty’s Government.
He said through Ghana’s track record underpinned by the rule of law, peace and stability, the country had set a pace for the rest of Africa. Speaking during discussions with Okyenhene Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin in his office, Boateng said one of the hallmarks of good governance in Ghana was the Government’s recognition of the indispensable role of traditional authorities.
“This is a lesson that needs to be learnt in Africa where there are traces of tension between the Government and traditional rulers,” he said. He urged the Government to continue to deepen democratic culture in the overall interest of the country and for the sake of future generations.
Replying Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin stated that traditional authorities were assisting the Government in the development of the country; thus giving concrete expression to the concept of decentralisation. He explained that the objective of the visit was to build bridges with development agencies, the Government and the private sector and expressed the hope that the outcome of his deliberations would enhance relations with the Okyenman Traditional area and the aforementioned.
H.E. Isaac Osei, Ghana’s High Commissioner observed that the Government of Ghana considered chieftaincy institutions as vital partners for the progress of the country. He explained that the Government valued its relations with the British Government and appreciated the moral and financial contributions of the UK Government towards the socio-economic development of the country.
Present at the discussions included Adolphus Arthur, Minister/Head of Chancery, Nana Asante Bediatuo, Apagyahene of Akyem Abuakwa and the Managing Director of City Savings Bank, E.C. Asihene, District Chief Executive of the East Akyem District, Ken Ofori Attah, Executive Chairman of Databank Financial Services Ltd. and Frank Adu Jnr, Managing Director of CAL Merchant Bank Ltd, Accra.
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I have passion for sustainable development-Okyenhen
London (UK) - Okyenhene Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin has said in London that his passion for sustainable development had led him to spearhead campaigns for conservation, sustainable agricultural development and eco-tourism.
He outlined the work being done by the Okyeman Environmental Foundation whose main focus centred on bio-diversity and how to improve the livelihoods at the rural community levels. He made the remarks at a meeting with Lord Williams, President of the House of Lords in London as part of his 15-day working visit to the UK.
Accompanying Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin were Kwabena Baah-Duodu, Deputy High Commissioner, Okyenhene's wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Ofori Attah, Nana Poku Ofori Attah, Chief Executive of Africa Media Core, Ken Ofori Attah, Executive
Chairman of Databank Financial Services, Nana Asante Bediatuo, Apagyahene of Akyem Abuakwa and Managing Director of City Savings Bank and Frank Adu Jnr, Managing Director of CAL Merchant Bank.
He explained that the aim of his visit was to "try to build bridges" with developmental agencies, the British Government and the private sector.
Osagyefuo Ofori Panin stated that he was keen to improve upon the performance of the traditional authorities for he believed that it was by the involvement of the central government, the district assemblies and the traditional authorities in development that we would have holistic approach to development.
He stressed the need for Akyem Abuakwa to reconnect with United Kingdom after fifty years recalling that his grandfather, Nana Ofori Attah I, the first African to be knighted, was very influential in fostering the development agenda in Ghana.
Lord Williams commended Osagyefuo Ofori Panin for his initiative and drive aimed at finding solutions to the problems confronting the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional area. He said it was interesting to have diversity in a unitary system of Government and added that the British Government was devolving power to the various regions in the United Kingdom.
Lord Williams said the University of Wales (of which he is Pro-chancellor) could be of assistance to educational institutions in the Akyem Abuakwa traditional area.
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Okyenhen wants traditional authorities to licence timber loggers
London (UK) – 1 July 2003 - Okyenhene Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin I, has advocated for amendment of existing laws to enable traditional authorities to superintend in their traditional areas. He said the amendment would enable the Councils, since they are on the ground and close to their areas of authority, to monitor the operations of timber firms in order to check excesses.
Osagyefuo spoke at length on measures the Okyeman Traditional Council had instituted to protect the environment including setting up of an environmental brigade to see to the control of chainsaw operators.
Responding to a question during a meeting with Hon. Hillary Ben, British Minister of State for International Development, Osagyefuo said through vigilance, the activities of illegal operators has been curtailed. He said the Okyeman Traditional Council was ever ready to release lands to investors for ventures that would create jobs for the people.
He suggested that lands previously acquired in the past by the central government which were not being utilised should be re-allocated back to the traditional authorities.
On issues relating to the HIV/AIDS pandemic, Osagyefuo said through concerted efforts, the Akyem traditional area has been able to create awareness of the adverse effects of the disease. He said the provision of materials on the disease at vantage points within the area, the celebration of AIDS week and the willingness of people in the area to take voluntary tests had helped to change peoples attitude to the disease.
Osagyefuo discussed the possibility of a direct relationship between the Okyenhen and DFID, which will lead to British support for specific pilot projects in his traditional area.
In reply, Hon. Hillary Ben commend Osagyefuo for his various initiatives especially on health and protection of the environment and assured him of the British Government’s support wherever feasible.
In his intervention, H E Isaac Osei, Ghana’s envoy to UK, described Osagyefo as one of the traditional chiefs who had been very vocal in the release of unutilised lands to traditional authorities. He said the clamour for release of lands had arisen because of the prevailing liberal environment engendered by the New Patriotic Party Government, which had given new lease of life to the people of Ghana to voice out their feelings on national issues.
Osei said the movement from Project Aid to Programme Aid by DFID was a clear expression of confidence in the Government. He indicated that Traditional Authorities, which required direct support for specific projects could satisfy these wishes through the District Assemblies on which they are represented and exhibit the same level of transparency and accountability which the NPP Government has shown.
The meeting was also attended by Kwabena Baah-Duodu, Deputy High Commissioner, Ken Ofori Atta, CEO of Databank and Gabby Otchere Darko, Press Secretary to the Okyenhene.
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Okyenhen commends Prince Charles
London (UK) 1 July 2003 - Okyenhene Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin I, has commended the Prince of Wales, HRH Prince Charles for the good work he is undertaking as patron of various charitable organisations. He expressed the hope that such laudable works could be replicated in Ghana.
The Okyenhene made the commendation during interaction with the Prince of Wales at St. James' Palace in London, as part of a 15-day working official visit to the UK.
Present at the meeting were his wife, Elizabeth Ofori Atta, Kwabena Baah-Duodu, Deputy High Commissioner of Ghana and Nana Darkwa Woe II, Gyaasehene of Akyem Abuakwa.
During the meeting, which lasted for almost one hour, an indication of the good-working chemistry between the two, Prince Charles briefed the delegation about the Prince's Trust which, he said, was meant to provide hope and skills to needy youth.
He expressed his delight that more and more offshoots were springing up in different parts of the world, especially in India where it was growing stronger everyday. Prince Charles promised to put the Okyenhene in touch with some key personnel of the Trust and proposed that the Okyenhene should consider sending one or two personnel to study the Trust's operations so that this could be adapted to Ghanaian circumstances.
Prince Charles said that the Trust could also send one or two officials to Ghana to assist in the setting up of a similar organisation in the country. Prince Charles who had earlier indicated his love for Ghana expressed the hope that he would have the chance to visit the country very soon.
Accepting the Prince's offer, Osagyefuo Ofori Panin I, said Ghana was prepared to team up with its development partners to tackle some of the problems confronting the youth such as poverty, illiteracy, drug abuse and HIV/AIDS.
On issues relating to organic farming, Prince Charles expressed concern on the threat to what remained of family farms and warned that if commercial farming was not controlled, a lot of countries would lose their landscapes.
He spoke of the benefits of organic farming and how fast it was developing in Commonwealth countries. He said he could be of assistance in the enhancement of organic farming in Ghana and stressed that organic farming allowed nature to replenish itself.
Osagyefuo spoke about the efforts he was making to bring about environmental awareness in the Akyem Abuakwa area in particular and Ghana as a whole.
The two also stressed the importance of agro-forestry schemes to ensure sustainable development and the contribution of appropriate technology to enhance rural development.
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Okyenhen calls for
development of relations based on mutual respect
Osagyefuo now on a 14-day working
visit to the
Mayor Lemon on his part thanked Okyenhen
and his delegation for the visit and assured them that the Brent Council would
work towards the intensification of relations with Kyebi
in particular and the Akyem Abuakwa
traditional area as a whole.
Discussions that ensued during the visit centred on the
possibility of twinning Brent with Kyebi. Other
issues were on how the Brent Council could assist Akyem
Abuakwa in areas such as education, health and
sanitation. After the discussions, Okyenhene and his
delegation were conducted round the various divisions of the Council.
Accompanying Osagyefuo were Kwabena Baah-Duodu, Ghana’s
Deputy High Commissioner, E.V. Asihene, District
Chief Executive of the East Akyem District; Osabarima Agyeman III, Okyeman Nifahene and Asiakwahene; Osabarima Darkwa Woe II, Okyeman Gyaasehene and Kwabenghene, Barima Duodu, Pupusuhene; Okyeame Anyan Addo,
linguist, Baafuor Asante Bediatuo, Okyeman Apagyahene; Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta
Chairman, Databank Financial Services and Nana Poku Ofori-Atta, Chairman Consolidated Commodities Limited.
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Speaking to Ghana Review International within minutes of their arraival at London Heathrow airport, Nana Asante Bediatuo, Apagyahene and spokesman for the Okyenhen,
reaffirm the purpose of the visit as an avenue to explore both private and
public sector investment opportunities for the socio-economic development of Okyenman.
Nana Bediatuo said a similar trip
was undertaken to the
While in
Other members of the Okyenhen’s
15-member entourage include Ken Ofori-Atta – CEO of
Databank Financial Services, Joe Ofori-Atta –
Director of Woolworths Ghana and Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko – editor of
the Statesman newspaper. They are expected to be joined by Foreign Minister
Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo later in the week.
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Okyenhen calls for
support from the people
London (UK) – 29 June 2003 - Osagyefuo
Amoatia Ofori Panin II, Okyenhen has called for
the support of the people in the quest for the socio-economic development of Okyeman in particular, and Ghana as a whole. Addressing a
durbar held in his honour by the Akyem Abuakwa Susubiribi Association
and the individual Township Associations in Akyem Abuakwa, Osagyefuo observed that
the bold and far-reaching policy initiatives by the present government to turn
the economy around would not yield the desired dividends if Ghanaians were not
committed to the onerous task of nation-building.
He stressed the need for Ghanaians to love their country and
emphasised that all Ghanaians should take seriously Ephraim Amu's
advice as outlined in his song" Yen ara asase ni" .
The colourful event was interspersed with drumming and
dancing by the Abrempong cultural troupe while the Okyenhene, in full traditional regalia, sat in state to
receive homage from those who attended the event.
Osagyefuo cautioned that the
entrenchment of constitutional democracy and the stability currently prevailing
in the country should not make Ghanaians complacent but should ginger them to
work together in unity and love to create a better nation for posterity.
He said he remained focused in his resolve to collaborate
with the Government of Ghana to improve the quality of live for rural
communities in his traditional area with particular emphasis on issues relating
to the empowerment of women and securing thewell-being
of children.
The Okyenhene called for a
legislation that would compel fathers to live up to their social responsibility
by providing for the maintenance and proper upbringing of their children in our
bid to ensure that our children enjoy a better quality of live.
Osagyefuo Amoatia
Ofori Panin announced that Okyenman Voluntary Corps Sevices
would soon be established to mobilise the youth in the Akyem
Abuakwa traditional area to plan and carry out
development projects in their respective communities.
He called on Ghanaians resident abroad to forge a united
front and rally solidly behind the government’s effort to restore our national
pride by contributing their quota to put
Welcoming Osagyefuo to the
The durbar was attended by Kwabena
Baah-Duodu, Deputy High Commissioner to the
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Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin II, Okyenhen, will pay a two-week official to the
In addition, the Okyenhen will honour a speaking engagement at
the West Africa Business Association and attend the Royal Agricultural Show in Stonely Park,
The 35th occupant of the Ofori
Panin Stool of the
However, he will also seek to interest NGOs and
other British organisations in participating in self-help projects being
undertaken by the people of Akyem Abuakwa.
On ascending the throne on
On 29th June, Osagyefuo
will meet Akyem people resident in the
Osagyefuo returns to
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Itinerary
for Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin II, Okyenhen
Visit to the UK
27 June – 11 July 2002
Day
Date
Time Activity
twining Brent & Kyebi
1500
Audience with Hilary Benn, MP,
Minister for
International Development
of Commons
1500
Audience with The Rt. Hon Paul Boateng, Chief Secretary to the Treasury
General of
the British Council
envoy to the Court of St James
Monday
07/11/2003
0930
Audience with Chris Morley, Minister of
State for
Foreign and Commonwealth
Affairs
1130
Tour & luncheon at Guinness Brewery
Tuesday
08/07/2003
1000
Audience with Colin Low, Chairman for
the Royal Institute for the Blind
1200
Okyenhen addresses the
Business
Association at the
Commission,
Minister of
the Environment, Food and
Rural Affairs
members of the International
Development
Committee @ the House
of Commons
1245
Private lunch with Sir Brian Jenkins,
Deputy
Chairman of the Barclays Group
and Chairman of the Charities Aid
Foundation.
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