As the Oguaa Traditional area prepares to celebrate the Oguaa Fetu Afahye festival, the Oguaamanhen Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II reflects on his 25-year reign.
According to Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II, the journey has been one of mixed feelings, filled with both challenges and triumphs. In a candid conversation, he shared his thoughts on maintaining peace in Cape Coast, the difficulties he faced, and how he navigated his role as a leader in the community. Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II described his 25 years on the throne as a journey of both good and turbulent times.
“Reflecting on his 25 years of reigns Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II, stated, “Some are good, Some are not so turbulent.” Despite the challenges, he is particularly proud of maintaining peace in Cape Coast.
“I’m glad there’s still peace in Cape Coast. I’ve been able to maintain that peace, which is a precursor for development, and that is what I’m happy about.”
Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II’s the Oguaamanhen Oguaa Fetu Afahye
However, Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II, pointed out that his time on the throne was not without difficulties.
“The other side of it is, you know chieftaincy problems. I wasn’t an exception. I’ve been in and out of court for 23 years.”
Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II’s the Oguaamanhen Oguaa Fetu Afahye
According to Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II, It was only recently that the Supreme Court ruled in his favor, affirming his legitimate claim as the Omanhene, the leader of the Oguaa Traditional Area.
“After 23 years, by the grace of God, I’ve been able to survive that.”
Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II’s the Oguaamanhen Oguaa Fetu Afahye
The lengthy court battles took a toll on Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II, but he remained resilient. He acknowledged that the legal battles had an impact on his ability to reign.
“In a way, you ask yourself whether it was worth, this position which your elders have placed on you…But then you tell yourself that, you can do it irrespective of what the circumstances may be.”
Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II’s the Oguaamanhen Oguaa Fetu Afahye
This mindset fueled his determination to persevere through the difficulties. “So that has pushed me on to be here, where I am now,” he emphasized.
Achieving Peace Through Connection
One of Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II’s greatest achievements during his reign has been the maintenance of peace in the Oguaa Traditional Area. When asked how he managed to keep the peace, he attributed it to his ability to connect with the people on a personal level.
“I see myself as one of the ordinary people in Cape Coast.”
Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II’s the Oguaamanhen Oguaa Fetu Afahye
Moreover, Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II explained that his approach to leadership involved humility and relatability.
“When it comes to displaying your skills as a joker, you know so that people don’t see you as [proud]. So whatever and whoever comes to me, I try to meet them at that level so it’s easier for them to understand me and I to understand them.”
Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II’s the Oguaamanhen Oguaa Fetu Afahye
This approach, he believes, has been instrumental in maintaining harmony within the community. he asserted that, ”that was perhaps one of the reasons why things are what they are now.”
Reflecting on his reign, Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II acknowledged that his journey as chief has been full of surprises. When asked if he could have predicted how his first 25 years on the throne would unfold.
“You see when you are not involved, you think it’s all rosy. But when you get into it, and then you ask us, [is that how it is ]. It hasn’t been easy. It has not been easy at all.”
Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II’s the Oguaamanhen Oguaa Fetu Afahye
Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II admitted that even when he tried to do his best for his people, there were always critics.
“Even when you try to do what is best for your people, you get one or two people criticizing you…So if you don’t have that courage to persist, you will fail.”
Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II’s the Oguaamanhen Oguaa Fetu Afahye
Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II’s journey to becoming the Oguaamanhen began unexpectedly. He recounted the moment when he first realized that he was most likely to be the next leader of the Oguaa Traditional Area. According to Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II, One day, his uncle called him from Accra and asked him to come to Cape Coast. When he arrived, his uncle posed a question that would change his life.
“Well, it happened all of a sudden. I have this uncle, we call Uncle Bayo, who has been very close to me, and he named all my children when they were born…The question that my uncle hoped to me was, he wanted to assign a duty for me, will I oblige, and do it?”
Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II’s the Oguaamanhen Oguaa Fetu Afahye
Without hesitation, Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II agreed to set in motion a series of events that would eventually lead to his installation as the Oguaamanhen. Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II highlighted that the process of becoming the chief was rigorous, involving consultations with elders and interviews with the leaders of the Asafo groups in Cape Coast.
“We were subjected to interviews and at the end of it all, they chose me.”
Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II’s the Oguaamanhen Oguaa Fetu Afahye
As Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II reflects on his 25 years as the Oguaamanhen, he acknowledges the challenges he has faced but also celebrates the peace and stability he has been able to maintain in Cape Coast. Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II, journey has been one of resilience, humility, and perseverance.
As the Oguaa Fetu Afahye festival approaches, the people of Cape Coast have much to celebrate under the leadership of a chief who has dedicated himself to their peace and development.
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