The Chiefs and people of Ekumfi have organised a befitting final funeral rites for two of their late paramount chiefs, namely Nana Akyin VI and Odeefo Akyin VII, as well as two Queen mothers, Nana Benyiwa IV and V.
Odeefo Akyin VIII coming to the durbar ground
The week long funeral, which was held at the forecourt of the Ebiram Palace, was characterised by the display of rich culture of the people of Ekumfi, amidst firing of muskets by women.
During the climax on Saturday, various Asafo Companies from some of the Ekumfi towns organised cultural displays, much to the admiration of those who attended the funeral.
In a short speech, the Paramount Chief of Ekumfi, Odeefo Akyin VIII indicated that Chiefs remained integral component in the quest to shape the country, in order to build a better Ghana for all.
He, therefore, pleaded that the roles of chiefs in the development of the country must be relooked, emphasising that complete neglect of chiefs in the governing process would be detrimental to the country’s development.
For instance, he lauded the two predecessors who ruled before him, as well as the two late Queen mothers who contributed significantly towards the development of Ekumfi and the country at large.
As a paramount chief, Odeefo Akyin VI played key roles during the era of Ghana’s first president, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, which shaped the socio-political discourse of the country.
According to him, his journey to ensure a befitting final funeral rites were organised for his late chiefs and queen mothers began right from the day he ascended the throne, as the paramount chief of Ekumfi.
Touching on the importance he attaches to the event, he said “I counted this final funeral rite as extremely very necessary so that we can all send the souls of our great personalities to sleep.
But I must admit that this hasn’t come without some feelings of sorrow at how long it took to bring this funeral rite to an end,” he said.
Appreciation to the people of Ekumfi
Odeefo Akyin acknowledged that the people of Ekumfi contributed significantly towards the organisation of the funeral and expressed his appreciation to the people for their generosity, kind support and contributions.
Odeefo Akyin VIII indicated to the crowd that he was completely overwhelmed by the colourful cultural display by the Asafo Companies, using Fontonfrom, Kete, Prede and Horns among others, which heralded the funeral.
He explained that those wonderful performances by the Asafo Companies brought back nostalgic feelings of the Borbor Fantse Culture and became the highest point in his life, since he ascended the throne.
“When I look at the Asafo Companies performances, in particular, it awakens the fighting spirit of our people, the display of bravery, fighting acumen and the spirit of conquest as exemplified in the battle of Bobikuma,” he said.
“This reassures me that Ekumfi has the fighting spirit to overcome many challenges confronting the people today in our social and economic lives,” he added.
He further declared that the ban on festivals and other funerals in the Ekumfi traditional area had been lifted, following the successful organisation of decent funeral rites for the late chiefs and Queen mothers.
Introduction of Ekumfi Festival
Omanhen Odeefo Akyin categorically stated that a common festival for the people of Ekumfi would be celebrated in the month of August, next year.
This announcement was greeted with rapturous response from the crowd to indicate their readiness to welcome the festival, which would be expected to reintroduce aspects of their culture that has eluded them for decades.
The festival, he explained, would rekindle the distinctive spirit that dwelled in the people of Ekumfi and showcase their unique and rich culture to the rest of the world.
Remarks by Central Regional House of Chiefs president
The President of the Central Regional House of Chiefs, Odeefo Amoakwa Buadu VIII, eulogised the late Odeefo Akyin VI, over his contribution to nation building and the honour he brought to the house.
Odeefo Amoakwa Buadu VIII, who is also the Omanhen of the Breman Asikuma Traditional Area, stated that Odeefo Akyin VI’s name was a household one at the Regional House of Chiefs, due to his immense leadership roles.
According to the president, Odeefo Akyin VI, who became the first president of the Central Regional House of Chiefs, dedicatedly served his people, the region and the country at large, during the first Republic.
He pleaded with Ekumfiman to continue to rally behind their reigning paramount chief, Odeefo Akyin VIII so that they would be able to implement his good vision, which would transform the traditional area.
Historical antecedent
Nana Akyin VI surmounted all efforts and challenges he faced in line with his enstoolment and rose to become the Paramount Chief of the traditional area.
According to an account by veteran journalist, Ebo Quansah, who is a proud native of Ekumfi, Nana Akyin VI “worked his way to become the President of the Central Regional House of Chiefs for fourteen solid years.”
His leadership qualities and forthrightness endeared him to the heart of not just the people of Ekumfi alone, but the country at large, as he was inducted into office as the Chairman of the three-chiefs Presidential Commission by Ghana’s first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.
During the first Republic, the Presidential Commission was akin to the position of the Vice President or Prime Minister, in today’s political dispensation.
Anytime the President left the country during any of his numerous travels at the time, Nana Akyin VI and his Commission ruled the country.
According to venerable Ebo Quansah, history has it that the Ekumfi Overlord was the de facto Vice-President throughout the First Republican experiment, until the coup d’état of 24 February 1966.
It is in the light of his greatness as a paramount chief and the various roles he played during his reign that Nana Akyin VI remains relevant to the socio-political evolution of Ekumfi and Ghana at large.
After almost four decades since he joined his ancestral home, the late Omanhen of the Ekumfi Traditional Area, Nana Akyin VI, is still revered by the present generation as a leader whose leadership and principles continue to inspire many.
