Residents of Kpando in the Volta region of Ghana are excited over the commencement of processes to install a new paramount Chief for the area.
The area has been plagued with Chieftaincy related litigation for close to 40 years; a situation many believe has led to the retrogression of the area in every way possible.
The commencement of a seven-day installation process on Sunday 27th February in Kpando witnessed the detention of the chosen candidate; Mr. Bernard Elikem Korku Ablenyi-Buachi. The process, when completed will see Mr. Ablenyi-Buachi become Okpekpewuokpe Torgbuiga Dagadu IX.
The ceremony, though culturally beautiful, brought tears to the eyes of many of the old chiefs who said they never believed they would live to witness the installation of a new Paramount Chief under such a peaceful and united condition.
The women folk sang along the principal streets of Kpando while talking drums and gunshots marked the beginning of a new era for the people of kpando.
They hoped that the new Chief will quickly settle in and address salient issues affecting the development of the people of Kpando and the entire Akpini Traditional Area.
Concerns raised by some residents in the town include the relegation of the community’s festival “danyibakaka” to the back burner for many years. “many of the young generation have not seen our festival celebrated since we were born. This festival we are told has great significance for us as a people and details our journey so far” a resident explained.
Many were happy about the choice of a very young man to ascend the throne and expressed confidence that an excellent choice has been made considering the choice of candidate.
Within the next six days leading to the main coronation ceremony, the candidate will be taken through the history, customs and traditions of the people. He will also be groomed on how to conduct himself as befitting of an Akpini overlord. Warrior groups from the entire Akpini area will take turns keeping wake and displaying their culture and valor whiles prayers and offerings are made to the deities of the land.
The candidate; Bernard Ablenyi-Buachi, a young man in his mid-thirties, is an experienced broadcast journalist, writer and publicist. He is the Ashanti Regional Chair of the Ghana Association of Writers (GAW), an old student of the Bishop Herman College, Kpando and an alumni of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi. He is married with three kids.