By Aaron Akwetey BOTCHWEY
In a groundbreaking event in the history of Prampram, the Naazen family made history by enstooling both Asafoatse and Asafoanye or traditional warriors from the same house and on the same day.
An unprecedent event in the history of the Prampram Traditional Area, the enstoolment of the two is part of ongoing efforts within the traditional area, to reassign vacant traditional positions to the rightful heirs. Most of the vacant positions have come about due to the passing of the first occupants.
But this past weekend, the Naazen family followed in the footsteps of their counterparts (We or houses) by enstooling traditional warriors or Asafoatse and Asafoanye. This is the first time a family has enstooled both male and female traditional warriors.
Known in private life as Rapheal Agoe Tetteh Mensah, Asafoatse Omensu V was born and raised in Tema. He is a youth activist and currently the leader of the Youth at Heart organisation. He is a man of few words and has deep commitment to youth development and the well-being of the younger generation.
During his enstoolment, he pledged his oath of allegiance to the Paramount Chief of Prampram, promising to uphold the values of the land and to serve with dedication and integrity.
He told PramcitiTV in an intervew about his readiness to serve with humility, and appealed to the public to support him in that direction.
On the other hand, Asafoanye Omensu II, known in private life as Edna Martekwo Martey, is the daughter of the late E.O. Martey. She has built an impressive reputation as a hardworking and compassionate individual. Her extensive work with NGOs, both locally and internationally, highlights her dedication to service and her ‘heart of gold’ that many admire.
In an interview with PramCITITV, Asafoanye Omensu II acknowledged the importance of her traditional role and expressed her readiness to serve and bring the honour to the new role assigned her. “This is not fetish; it is a tradition bequeathed to us by our forebears and since the traditional rites, I have been taught valuable lessons and I am grateful to be in this position.”
The traditional rites lasted for four days, after which they were taken to the ancestral site for customs and to take the oath of their respective offices. They were later paraded through the principal streets of the town before being brought before the Paramount Chief, Nene Tetteh Wakah III – who is also the Vice President of the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs; Queenmother Naa Osabu Abbey I; and the various elders from the Prampram Traditional Council.
The symbolic journey also connected the newly enstooled leaders with the roots and essence of Prampram’s cultural heritage. The enstoolment of the two signifies unity, collaboration and the collective effort to uphold the traditions of Prampram.
Asafoatse Omensu V and Asafoanye Omensu II are poised to lead with integrity and dedication, bringing positive change to their community while respecting the rich customs of the land. Their enstoolment marks the beginning of a promising era for Prampram.
The enstoolment is also a reminder of the power of tradition and the possibilities that arise when communities come together to celebrate and preserve an age-old heritage bequeathed to them by their forebears.
Photos by PramcitiTV.
