The Middle Templar and The Chief

His Royal Majesty Odeefuo Osei Boateng Agyenim I

Ogonahene (King of Ahwiren)

Odeefuo Osei Boateng, known in private life as Ernest Kwaku Boateng Jnr, ascended the Okyere ne Amponsem Stool in January 2022. He is the 16th occupant of the Ogonahene Stool of the Ahwiren Traditional Area in the Asante Bekwai Municipality, which shares common boundaries with Kokofu, Asakyire, Asaaman and as far as the Lake Bosomtwe (the only natural lake in Ghana and the deepest in West Africa, and among UNESCO world Biosphere reserves) in the Bosome Freho District. 

The Ogonahene Stool was established by Nana Kyere and his nephew Amponsem I of blessed memory in 1600, after a family dispute between the three royal lineages of Agona regarding who should become the next King of the Dankyira Kingdom in the Central Region of Ghana. Nana Kyere, who was said to be the next in line, was denied the Throne due to his age because he was supposed to become the warlord (commander in chief). As a result,  he migrated with his entire family and subjects to settle at Asokore Mampong in the Ashanti Kingdom where he and his warriors, led by his nephew Amponsem, fought many battles for the Ashanti’s in exchange for gold, land and many glorious titles, including the Bearer of the twin mighty war swords of the Asantehene and the Protector of the Asanti Bekwai Stool. The Asante’s were not united at the time and therefore were said to be the subjects of the Denkyira Kingdom for decades; Denkyira was formally the most powerful Kingdom in Ghana until the Ashanti’s brought it to its knees due to the divisions. After many years of battle and conquest, the queen mother of Kokofu gave her daughter’s hand in marriage to the Ogonahene Nana Amofa Daatu for an alliance and stronger royal lineage. Miraculously, their son, Nana Gyami, becomes the first Kokofuhene, and Manu, their daughter, gave birth to Osei Tutu and Nyarko Kusiamoa who would soon unite the Asante chiefs to liberate them from the Dankyira people. Ashante then became one kingdom under the leadership of Osei Tutu I as the 1^st Asantehene and his sister, Nyarko Kusiamoa, as the 1^st Asentehemaa. They are both second Generations of the Ogonahene. Any occupant of the Dankyira Stool in essence is a brother to the occupant of the Ogonahene Stool. Unknowingly to many Ghanaians, these two Kingdoms are one by Blood!

Prior to the introduction of the 1992 Constitution and the modern-day Judicial Court System in Ghana, the Chiefs had their own ways of settling disputed matters through the Traditional Court System comprising the Chief and his Council of Elders. These traditional courts are still the most popular means of adjudication on civil matters in present day Ghana, mostly for family and land disputes. It is influenced by the preference of the parties involved and the decisions are strictly backed by the state courts; it is, in a way, a mixture of mediation and arbitration. The Monarchy as an institution, although separate from the Government, is still significant and plays a vital role in modern-day Ghana. The 1992 Constitution prevents the traditional leaders from any participation in mainstream politics, but they could be appointed as members on public boards and corporations, chieftaincy affairs, political and constitutional matters. They are also actively involved in the developmental programs of their communities as the prime owners of the land which is recognised under the Stool Lands Act. In addition, all natural resources and minerals in those lands are vested in the State by law under the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources as well as The Minerals Commission. The Government and his cabinet are not accountable to the traditional leaders in any way but require their much-needed support and partnership on state matters.  

Unlike the United Kingdom where there is a clear line of succession to the Monarchy, when, for any reason, the stool of an Akan state, town or village becomes vacant, much manoeuvring goes on among eligible claimants. This is largely because there are generally more lineages in the clan and each lineage may want its member to be nominated. The competition can be very fierce, with factions among the kingmakers and the people supporting one candidate against another. There are, however, certain qualities which candidates must possess. Traditionally, these include native intelligence, wisdom, respectability, humility, an unblemished moral life, knowledge of and respect for the customs and traditions of the people and the ability to speak in public. Formal education has become an additional qualification these days and as such, it is an advantage to those contestants who possess it. Having these qualities, however, does not make one an automatic choice. There are certain physical attributes also which may negate the above, most importantly; the chosen one must be without blemish in his body. 

It appeared that Ernest Boateng could top a long list of royal contestants although the youngest in his early thirties to mount the great stool of his ancestors; an African proverb goes ’a child who knows how to wash his hands dines with the elders’. After losing both parents at a very young age, Ernest used education as his only source of hope and excelled in his studies. Odeefuo read BSc Accounting at the Kumasi Technical University, ACCA, and Applied Accounting at Oxford Brookes University, and is currently studying LLM Law and Legal Practice and The Bar Practice Course at BPP University London. He is also a 2021 Jules Thorn and Blackstone Entrance Exhibition Scholar at the Honourable Society of the Middle Temple. He later became a global campaigner for the safety of pregnant women during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, after tragically losing his 28-year-old pregnant wife to Covid. He is an outspoken advocate for justice, equity and equality for blacks and the ethnic minority. The impact of his reign on his people in such a short period is really tangible and the support of the youth behind him is unprecedented, as both the young and the old can easily relate with him on a personal level; they say he is the choice of both the gods and the people. 

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