The Paramount Chief of the Odau people of Akyem Etwereso, Daasebre Ofosu Kwabi Ayebiahwe, has called on kingmakers across the country to appoint royals with ambition and a clear development agenda as chiefs in order to secure the socio-economic advancement of their communities.

According to Daasebre Ayebiahwe, the complexities of the contemporary political and economic landscape demand forward-thinking leadership.

He argued that royal lineage alone is no longer sufficient to ascend a stool in this modern era, particularly if the chieftaincy institution is to maintain its relevance and prestige in society.

“People should not occupy chieftaincy positions merely because they are royals; they must be royals with integrity who have achieved something meaningful economically. How can someone who cannot fend for himself be expected to bring development to his people? It starts with self-leadership,” he stated.

He made these comments during the celebration of the fourth Akwasidae of the year, which was observed in grand style with traditional rites, pageantry, and cultural displays at Akyem Etwereso in the Eastern Region.

Responding to a proposal regarding the enstoolment of a chief in one of his towns, Daasebre Ayebiahwe remarked, “The era when whole communities sustained their chiefs through farming and communal labour is long gone.

Today, citizens expect their chiefs to influence the direction of development and investment. It is not enough to merely preserve tradition. Chiefs must be development-oriented. We must encourage our citizens to invest in our hometowns and persuade our wealthy associates to channel resources into our communities. We must draw the attention of government, NGOs, and international organisations to the needs of our people. That is how we improve lives.”

The Paramount Chief also expressed concern over the spate of chieftaincy disputes, pledging to work tirelessly to bring lasting peace and reconciliation to affected areas within his jurisdiction.

During the Akwasidae celebration, Daasebre Ayebiahwe formally introduced businessman and IT expert, Nana Osei Afrifa, as the nominated Twafohene of the Akyem Odau Traditional Area. Nana Afrifa, Chief Executive Officer of Afrifanom Limited—a Ghanaian IT firm known for spearheading Ghana’s National Digital Address System—is expected to take his traditional oath of office on Monday, 7 July 2025.

Since his enstoolment in 2021, Daasebre Ayebiahwe has made notable progress in the Odau Traditional Area, which forms part of the Benkum Division of Akyem Abuakwa and spans parts of the Asante Akim South, Akyemansa, Kwaebibirem, and West Akim districts.

With 12 Apakanfuo (Palanquin Town Chiefs) and 46 Adikro (Village Chiefs) under his leadership, he has initiated a number of development projects, including a multi-storey palace complex in Akyem Etwereso, a hospital, a police station, and the upcoming Kwaneakwa tourist site.

He maintains that the success of his reign must be measured by the well-being of his people.