Offinsohene Goes Home……
The mortal remains of the late Offinsohene Nana Wiafe Akenten III was laid to rest yesterday at the Offinso Royal Cemetery in Offinso after 28 Years of Reign.
This was preceded by a traditional burial service (Doteyie) held at the Offinso Palace, climaxing a four-day elaborate state funeral.
The deceased Chief passed on at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in October 2021 after a brief illness.
Prior to the traditional Burial Service (Doteyie), funerals, as well as drumming and noise-making in the area, were banned by the Council, in accordance with Asante customs and traditions, until the late Chief was buried.
The remains of the Late Chief was laid in state at his Palace from midnight of Tuesday 22th February to the forenoon of Thursday, February 24 for chiefs, officials, and members of the general public to pay their last respect to the late chief.
Thousands of people from all walks of life, including the traditional, religious, and political fraternities, gathered to mourn with the Offinso Traditional Council as the prominent Asante Chief was laid to rest.
Traditionally, Okyenhene, Offinsohene, and Edwesohene are biological brothers from the same mother in Adanse Kokobeante before they separated to their present locations during the migration of families from Adanse.
In hierarchy Okyenhene is the Piesie (1st born / abakan), Edwesohene is the Manu (2nd Born) and Offinsohene is Mensah (3rd born) and their uncle is Denkyira Abuakwahene who is also Denkyira Nifahene.
Okuapehene, Manso Nkwantahene, and the rest of Asona royals are all nephews to the above brothers.
The Offinso State extends far and wide, with borders to Takyiman and Nkoransa.
The Asantehene, Otumfuor Osei Tutu II, according to tradition, was the last to pay his respects, before the internment commenced.
Early on at the funeral grounds were Mamponghene Daasebre Osei Bonsu ll, Nana Agyakomaa Difie ll Mamponghemaa, Ejisumanhene Nana Afrane Okese ll, Nana Yaa Asantewaa II, Ejisuhemaa, Manso Nkwantamanhene Nana Bi Kubi Appiah, Beposomanhene Nana Boamah Kwabi ll.
Others include; Bompatamanhene Nana Effeh Apenteng, Tepamanhene Nana Adusei Atwerewa Ampem ll, Bekyemmanhene Nana Akoto ll. Sefwi Anwiasomanhene Ogyeahohuo Yaw Gyebi, who doubles as the President of the National House of Chiefs, among other prominent paramount chiefs.
Offinsomanhene Nana Wiafe Akenten III is fondly remembered for his empowerment of the less privileged in his paramountcy, partnering with various NGOs including at one time, The United States Embassy in Accra, to educate Kayayeis in Offinso as well prioritizing the Education of the girl child as a whole in Offinsoman.
Nana Kwadwo Agyeman, head of the Atutuase Ashirem royal family, described Nana Wiafe Akenten as the epitome of peace and development in the Offinso Traditional Council.
According to him, under the auspices of Nana Wiafe Akenten III, Offinsoman has witnessed massive social developmental projects.
Nana Wiafe Akenten, according to Nana Obeng Akrofi, Dawohosohene, was a visionary and true king who served the Offinso Traditional Area with dignity.
In addition, Offinso Krontihene, Baffour Osei Kuffour indicated that the final funeral rites of Nana Wiafe Akenten, Offinso manhene is a day of war in the Asante Kingdom.
A peaceful and eternal rest to Offinsohene Nana Wiafe Akenten III.
Source: Opemsuo.com/ Emmanuel Owusu Anti.
