Dr. Nana Kofi Antwi II is the chief of Odumase in the Asante Akim Central Municipality of the Ashanti region since October 2, 2006. He swore the oath of allegiance to the Juabenhene, Nana Otuo Siriboe II to that effect.
By virtue of his position as the Chief of Odumase, Nana Kofi Antwi, a retired Assistant Director of Prisons and Lecturer/ Graduate School Coordinator of the Kumasi campus of the Valley View University (VVU), also doubles as the Nifahene of Juaben Traditional Area.
His priority has been the promotion of education and infrastructural development and social interventions to improve the lot of his subjects for which reason the 19 years of his reign has been characterised by transformational development.
Among the remarkable achievements include the renovation of the Nana Mumuanor Ampam Palace built in 1944.
The Palace, named after the first chief, was started by Nana Kofi Poku and completed by Nana Kofi Akoill, the first Nifahene of the Juaben Traditional Council.
The chief has also initiated the construction of a new Palace, while a Community Centre Complex comprising stores, community library, conference halls and Guest rooms, is under construction.
It will cater for funerals and social events and generate revenue for other development projects.
A police station is being constructed by the chief, who intends to provide decent barracks for the community.
The Odumase chief, with the support of his Overlord, Nana Otuo Siriboe II, the Juabenhene, released a parcel of land for the establishment of a private health facility, Hopecare Hospital by Dr. Agyapong, a Gynaecologist.
Other health facilities including the Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) Compound at Kwakyewaso sprang up under Nana Antwi’s tenure.
Dr. Nana Antwi has overseen the renovation of the Odumase public Bus stop, the local Post Office and the construction of CHPS facility to address the health needs of the people.
Through his instrumentality, Asante Akim Odumase State Book has been published to keep record of traditions of the community and people.
The legacy book showcases the history of Odumase – including tradition, religion, lands and schools.
In collaboration with the Juabenhene, the Odumase chief has also released a land for the construction of an Iron and Steel company by a Jordanian investor.
Last year, Nana Kofi Antwi instituted a financial package to assist brilliant students who excelled in the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).
Twenty seven students have so far benefitted from this package with each student receiving GHC1,000 to pursue secondary education.
He has ensured that all classrooms are provided with marker boards and a quantity of exercise books supplied to school including private schools to enhance teaching and learning.
Nana Antwi influenced the supply of computers by the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC) to local schools, including Islamic JHS, Anglican JHS, KOSS Model A and B schools, as well as 20 computers to Konongo Odumase SHS to facilitate Information Communications and Technology (ICT) studies.
Through one Kwasi Kwarteng, a native of Odumase, Nana Kofi Antwi procured a quantity of books through a USA non-governmental organisation for supply to local schools.
The Odumase chief, with the backing of the Queenmother, Nana Yaa Koah III and stool Elders, has instituted an annual career guidance programme for basic schools at Odumasi and surrounding communities.
He has also instituted an annual non-denominational Thanksgiving ceremony for all residents including members of the Muslim community for peaceful co-existence of his subjects.
Projects and programmes under the Chief’s developmental agenda are executed through the dedicated services of relevant Committees namely Funeral Committee, Education Committee, Religious and Development Committees.
At Juaben, where he serves as the Nifahene of the Juaben Traditional Council, Dr. Nana Kofi Antwi has played importance roles to complement the efforts of the Juabenhene, having served on Arbitration, Land and Education Committees.
He was a member of the 40th and 50th anniversary celebration of Nana Otuo Siriboe II’s installation.
Nana Kofi Antwi has also represented the Juabenhene at the funeral rites of the late Mamponghene, Daasebre Osei Bonsu II, the late Offinsomanhene, Nana Wiafe Akenten III and also at the Ashanti Regional House of Chiefs on two occasions, as well as Juabenhene’s Representative at Asiwa in the Bosome-Freho.
Nana Kofi Antwi is one of four members of the Juaben Traditional Council who benefited from a one week study at the Kofi Annan International Centre in ADR sponsored by the Omanhene of Juaben.
The other beneficiaries are Nana Owusu, Akyempim, (Yentumi, Enyaasehene Juaben), Mr. Ankomah, Senior Registrar Juaben Traditional Council and Nana Adu Yeboah II, Mentiahyenfuohene and Abrafoohene (Juaben).
In spite of the achievements and successes chalked so far, Nana Kofi Antwi is not happy with illegal mining activities without restraint, which situation has attracted unchecked influx of people from across the country and beyond.
He has also frowned on the indiscriminate siting of kiosks in the community without the permission of the Munincipal Assembly.
The Chief called on the government to create employment opportunities and skills training programme for the youth in the area.
Dr. Nana Kofi Antwi has also called for the support of his subjects to enable him push the development agenda and ensure that proposed projects and programmes are implemented to make Odumase the desired destination of natives and Ghanaians as a whole.
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