At the forecourt of Odeefo Akyin’s palace on Saturday, a colorful ceremony was performed as part of the final funeral rites for two paramount chiefs and two queen mothers of Ekumfi State who died many years ago.

The late chiefs are Nana Akyin VI, Nana Akyin VIII, Nana Benyiwa IV  and Nana Benyiwa V.

However, Nana Akyin VI was the first President of the Central Regional House of Chiefs, who reigned from 1959 to 1973.

He was also a founding member of the National House of Chiefs, and was the first Chairman of the Presidential Commission in the First Republic.

Under Nana Akyin VI’s reign, he championed  the development of Ekumfi and united the various communities within the traditional area to be part of Ekumfi’s development efforts.

The event, which was used to celebrate the four great traditional leaders was the first of its kind held at the palace in recent times.

At 10:30am, the Paramount Chief, Odeefuo Akyin, queen mother Nana Benyiwa and elders assumed their seats for the start of the ceremony.

As part of activities to climax  the  week-long event , 28 Asafo Companies across the traditional area were scheduled to perform, while a mini photo exhibition was held to display giant portraits of the late kings and queen mothers.

The programme, which witnessed a display of rich Ekumfi culture by various Asafo Companies was attended by paramount chiefs, queen mothers, members of corporate Ghana, and representatives of the New Patriotic Party and National Democratic Congress.

Some of the chiefs in attendance included Odeefuo Amoakwa Boadu VIII, president of the Central Regional House of Chiefs, who doubles as Paramount Chief of Breman Asikuma Traditional Area, Paramount Chief of Enyanmaim Traditional Area, Okofo Amoako Bondam III, Paramount Chief of Assin Owirenkyi Traditional Area (Assin Kushea) Nana Prah Agensem VI, and Paramount Chief of Mankessim Traditional Area, Nana Amanfo Edu VI.

Addressing the durbar, Odeefo Akyin  appealed to the government to construct the road from Esuehyia to Ebiram which has developed deep potholes.

He said all Ekumfi roads are in deplorable state, a situation which has impacted negatively on the socio-economic lives of his people.

Concerning the role of chiefs in national development, Odeefuor Akyin said Chiefs remain an integral component of the progress Ghanaians desire, adding that it will not augur well when chiefs are ignored.

He, therefore, called on the Minister of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Stephen Asamoah Boateng, to look into the role of Chiefs in governance and development by ensuring reforms in the chieftaincy institution in Ghana.

“In spite  of the sorrow, I today stand before my people with that sense of inspiration, looking at the contributions of each and every Ekumfi person to the performance of the final funeral rites of this great Kings and Queen mothers."

He said the past eight days offered an opportunity for them to witness the culture the people have missed for decades.

He said watching the performances of Asafo Companies as they displayed the true Fante culture was the  most inspiring thing he had seen in his life since he took the throne.

He praised the people for their contribution which has made the programme successful, adding that it has  reassured him that Ekumfi has the fighting spirit to overcome the many challenges confronting them today in their socio-economic lives.