By Sebastian R. Freiku
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All roads would, at the weekend, lead to Dormaa Ahenkro as the President, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, is expected to grace the climax of the weeklong programme of activities drawn for the observation of the Dormaa Kwafie Festival 2014.
The President would address a grand durbar of the chiefs and people of the Dormaa Traditional area at the Abanpredease Palace at Dormaa-Ahenkro on Saturday December 20, 2014, during which awards would be presented to deserving individuals who have helped in championing the development of the area.
The programme marks the 15th Anniversary of the enstoolment of Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyeman Badu II as Dormaahene, and Odeneho Akosua Fima Dwabeng II, the Queenmother.
The theme of the anniversary is “Peace, Development and Distinct leadership”.
Other dignitaries to grace the occasion include former UN Secretary General Dr. Busumuru Kofi Annan, the President of the Republic of La Cote d’Ivoire, Alhassane Ouattara, the Bonohene of La Cote d’ Ivoire, Nana Agyemang Adinkrah II and his retinue, all Aduana chiefs in Ghana, and the Akwamuhene, Odeneho Kwafo Akoto III, and his Queenmother, as well as a host of ministers of state, parliamentarians and business executives.
Nana Dei Kusi Gyabaa, Ankobeahene of the Dormaa Traditional Area and acting Chairman of the 11-member Planning Committee, also mentioned that former presidents, Jerry John Rawlings and John Agyekum Kufuor have been invited to grace the occasion.
He said Madam Akua Donkor, the 2012 presidential candidate of the Ghana Freedom Party (GFP), and the presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, would also be present.
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The anniversary, which was kick-started last week with Muslim and Christian prayers by all religious sects alongside clean up exercises and the tree planting of special species on a two acre land, would be rounded off with a non-denominational church service and a football match between Aduana Football Club and Berekum Chelsea and the Munufie Festival a week after.
Other activities border on health awareness programmes, including keep fit exercises, Breast and Prostate Cancer and Hepatitis ‘B’ screening; inter senior high school quiz, cultural display and traditional drumming and street jam.
Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyemang-Badu, 48, a lawyer by profession, was installed on June 7, 1999 to succeed his uncle, who died in January 1998. His 15-year reign has brought development to all four main areas (Abessim, Bomaa, Chiraa and Dormaa) of the traditional area.
The Dormaahene is on record to have presented 100 bags of cement to the eye clinic of the local Presbyterian Hospital, and presented computers and 100 bags of cement to the Wamfie, Chiraa and Wamanafo Senior High schools.
Oseadeeyo is synonymous with the institution in 2000 of a GH¢200,000 Educational Fund which has benefitted over 2,000 students, which is funded by royalties, donations, contributions and fund raising activities.
The Dormaahene is credited with the construction of three 20-seater Kumasi Ventilated Improved Pit (KVIP) facilities at Dormaa and Wamfie, and a mortuary at the Dormaa Presbyterian Hospital.
A Divisional Police headquarters is 95% complete as Oseadeeyo Agyeman Badu’s personal contribtion to security.
He has renovated the Brick and Tile factory to provide jobs for 15 hands and currently producing 13,000 bricks a month while a poultry farm is under construction to raise 250,000 birds as a source of income for the Traditional Council.
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The chief is embarking on an afforestation programme for which 200 acres of land has been allocated for the planting of 77,000 seedlings. A 24-room two-storey hotel is also under construction at Dormaa by Oseadeeyo Agyeman Badu to add to the local hospitality industry.
Oseadeeyo Agyeman Badu is the founder, owner and life patron of Aduana Stars FC, which won the 2009–2010 Glo Premier League title setting a world record for least productive champions with 19 goals in 30 matches.
He is fitting stands at the local stadium to enhance the status of the facility, plans to establish a monumental Agyemang Badu Assembly Hall and Sports Academy at Sunyani as part of his vision.