From Richard Owusu-Akyaw
A GH¢400,000 modern palace has been constructed and commissioned at Bekwai for the Akwamu Division of the Bekwai Traditional Council.
The palace project, comprising a conference hall, hall for traditional sittings and three chamber and hall apartment with toilet facilities, was funded by the Akwamuhene of Bekwai Traditional Area, Nana Ntiamoah Amankuo III.
Commissioning the facility, Nana Amankuo urged his colleague chiefs to channel resources and stool revenue into developing their communities. He asked chiefs not to rely on governments for their developmental needs.
The Akamuhene stressed that the palace was not his personal property. “The palace is not mine. It belongs to the Asona Family and entire people of Bekwai,” he said amid applause and admiration.
Nana Amankuo III explained that he had been inspired by the deplorable state he found the Akwamu palace in to go the extra mile to pull the old structure down and build a modern palace for the Asona Family and people of Bekwai.
He said the Akwamu Palace is a first port of call for any visitor in town, hence the need to make it more attractive from resources of his stool and philanthropic aid to build the new Akwamu Palace.
He appealed to President John Dramani Mahama to come to the aid of the people of Amensie Central. According to him, roads in the said districts are in bad shape, making it difficult for farmers to transport their products to town. It is also dangerous for pregnant women who are due for delivery.
Last year, Nana Amankuo II helped with the construction of a clinic at Bepotenten, a farming community, and also donated a number of computers to Jacobu ICES, Afoako Primary and Middle School, and Denase in the Amansie Central District.
Nana Opoku Ababio, Adontenhene of Bekwai, who represented the Omanhene of Bekwai, Nana Kaakari Appau II, lauded the Akwamuhene for raising the bar higher, since putting up a building does not come easy. He said he had set a good example for chiefs in Bekwai and Ghana to emulate.
He called for a strict maintenance culture for a longer lifespan for the facility, stressing that chiefs should not be selfish, but think about the wellbeing of their people. The Queenmother of Bekwai, Nana Adwoa Pinaman, expressed her heartfelt appreciation to Nana Ntiamoah Amankuo III for giving the Asona Family a befitting legacy, by giving the palace a facelift.
She urged chiefs to be development-oriented and support Nana Ntiamoah Amankuo III to do greater things in Bekwai. Madam Mary Gyantuah, Bekwai Municipal Chief Executive, also lauded Nana Ntiamoah for his work.
Mr. Emmanuel Dede Appiah, District Chief Executive of Amansie Central, thanked Nana Ntiamoah for helping to bring development to his district, and adding value to the lives of the people.
According to the DCE, 76 communities in the Amansie Central District are under the watch of the Akwamuhene for the Omanhene of Bekwai. Meanwhile, the Afoakwa ICES has given five scholarship slots to the Akwamuhene for the benefit of his stool.