Residents of Nsawam, in the Eastern Region, poured onto the principal streets over the weekend to celebrate the enstoolment of Mr. Ohene Kwame Takyi, a Lecturer at Methodist Health Training Institute, as the new chief of the area. His stool name is Nana Osae Mensah I.
The residents were happy because the Nsawam Traditional Area has been performing traditional and cultural activities without a substantive chief for almost 20 years now. But now, they have one, in the person of Nana Osae Mensah I.
The new chief of Nsawam was born at Aburi–Akuapem to Vivian Naa Aklerh Tettehfio and Nana Kwame Takyi (both late), who was the Adehyehene of Adonteng traditional area.
Nana Osae Mensah I attended Aburi Presby Primary and Aburi Demonstration Junior High School. He later proceeded to Aburi Secondary–Technical School, now Aburi Presbyterian Secondary School.
After Aburi SECTEC, he moved to Oda Nursing College and completed in 2006, after which he was posted to Manhyia District Hospital from 2007 to 2012.
In his desire to attain higher education, the new chief for Nsawam pursued his first degree at the University of Ghana and completed in 2013. He also obtained a postgraduate diploma in education at the University of Cape Coast (UCC) in 2015.
He subsequently moved to do his master’s and completed in 2017 at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, where he specialised in Public Health and Maternal Reproductive health.
All these years, he continued to lecture and impart knowledge at the SDA Nursing Training College as a lecturer till 2019, when he was transferred to the Afosu Methodist Health Training Institute in the Birim North District.
Vision for the Area
Speaking at the ceremony, Nana Osae Mensah I said his vision for the Nsawam traditional council were unity, health, education and trade.
To ensure that this vision materialises, Nana Osae Mensah pledged to set up an educational fund to support brilliant but needy children to further their education at the tertiary level.
According to him, plans are advanced for the construction of a teacher and nursing training college for Nsawam.
He continued that businesses can only thrive in an enabling environment, hence he will liaise with the government and other relevant institutions in ensuring that the area is highly conducive, as well as empowering the actors of business.
On tradition and culture, he said they have lost their full potential over the last 20 years, but assured that the Odwira celebrations would be revived.
He advised the youth to desist from engaging in illicit drugs, as it will only deter them from reaching their full potential, adding that the youth must be respectful and ensure orderliness in the area.
Nana Osae Mensah I expressed his profound gratitude to the Aburihene, His Royal Highness Nana Otoobour Gyan Kwasi, for reposing confidence in him to lead his people in Nsawam, demonstrating his readiness to serve the people and welcoming everyone to contribute their quota for a prosperous Nsawam.
Nsawam is a town in southern Ghana and is the capital of the Nsawam-Adoagyire Municipality.
The main ethnic group is Akan but other tribes are cohabitating with them.
