Kyinsohene Charges New Family Queens to Prioritize Community Development

AKYEM KYINSO, E/R – The Kyinsohene, Barima Pobi Asomani Anakwah, has charged newly installed family queens in Akyem Kyinso to look beyond the development of their individual families and contribute actively to the growth of the entire community.

According to him, strong and development-oriented families form the foundation of progressive communities and, ultimately, a prosperous nation.

Barima Pobi Asomani Anakwah made the call during a ceremony at which representatives of five major clans in Kyinso swore an oath of allegiance to the Kyinso Stool in the Kwaebibrim Municipality of the Eastern Region.

The clans are Oyoko, Aduana, Bretuo, Asona and Ɛkoɔna.

Family Development Must Translate into Community Growth

Addressing traditional leaders, elders and residents, the Kyinsohene said the responsibilities of queen mothers extend beyond their respective family houses.

He described queen mothers as custodians of culture, mothers to all and important agents of social change who can play a significant role in addressing challenges confronting the community.

“A development-oriented family builds a good community, and a good community builds a strong country. That is why I am charging you, our newly installed family queens, not to limit yourselves to only your individual families. Support the development of Kyinso as a whole,” he said.

He identified education, healthcare, sanitation and youth unemployment as some of the major challenges requiring collective attention.

The Kyinsohene therefore urged the queens to mobilise their families, engage relevant stakeholders and collaborate with the traditional council to initiate development projects that would benefit the wider community.

Queens Swear Allegiance to Kyinso Stool

The ceremony also featured the exchange of an oath of allegiance to the Kyinso Stool by representatives of the five clans.

The traditional ritual symbolised the clans’ commitment to the stool, the preservation of tradition and the development of Akyem Kyinso.

The event was characterised by cultural performances, drumming and prayers for peace, unity and progress.

Queens Outline Development Priorities

The newly installed queens pledged their allegiance to the stool and outlined some of the development interventions they intend to pursue.

Nana Oforiwa Amanfo, Ɛkoɔnahemaa, expressed concern about what she described as declining educational standards in the community, attributing part of the challenge to the impact of illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.

She said some parents were also failing to give adequate attention to the education of their children.

“The low standards of education in our community need urgent attention because of illegal mining. Parents are not taking their wards’ education seriously,” she said.

Nana Oforiwa Amanfo announced plans to organise a stakeholders’ dialogue to sensitise parents on their responsibilities towards their children’s education.

She also pledged to provide school uniforms and exercise books to needy pupils as part of immediate interventions.

“I will tackle the provision of school uniforms and exercise books to support the needy. Together with other queens, we shall collaborate with the chief to ensure we protect River Birim from illegal miners,” she added.

For her part, Nana Agyeiwa Okodie, Bretuohemaa, identified drug abuse and teenage pregnancy as major concerns affecting young people in the community.

“We will rigorously tackle the reduction of drug abuse among the youth, which is on the ascendancy in the community,” she said.

She added that the queens would embark on educational campaigns to raise awareness among young people about the dangers and consequences of teenage pregnancy, with the aim of reducing its incidence.

Kyinsohene Appeals for Unity and Diaspora Support

Barima Pobi Asomani Anakwah also called for unity among the various clans, warning that divisions could undermine the development of the community.

He appealed to indigenes of Kyinso, both at home and abroad, to support development initiatives and contribute towards improving living conditions in the community.

“When we put Kyinso first, our children will benefit, our families will benefit, and generations after us will benefit. Let us work together,” he said.

BY HAM A. AFETI