The Chiefs and Kingmakers of the Manya Krobo Traditional Area held a colourful traditional ceremony on Friday, 25th July 2025, at Asesewa in the Eastern Region to outdoor the new Chief of Asesewa, Nene Ofei Tagbaja.
The Chief, an Information Services Department staff member and Public Relations Officer at the Ministry of Health, is known in private life as Isaac Ofei Baah. He succeeds his uncle, Ofei Bosso, who reigned for 34 years and passed away in 1956. Since then, Asesewa had remained an orphan town without a substantive chief. Nene Ofei Tagbaja’s enstoolment makes him the first Divisional Chief of Asesewa under the Manya Krobo Paramountcy, following the elevation of Asesewa to divisional status by the traditional council, led by the Konor of the area, Nene Sakite.
The traditional ceremony was attended by people from all walks of life, including politicians, government appointees, religious leaders, and public and private sector workers. Traditional drumming and dancing were at their best. There was pomp and pageantry, amidst the firing of musketry, to express the joy and excitement surrounding the enstoolment of the new Chief.
The Eastern Regional Minister, Mrs. Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, commended the kingmakers, elders, and the people of Asesewa for the peaceful and dignified process that led to the installation of the new Chief. She noted that the theme, “Uniting the People for Sustainable Development,” was timely and aligned with the national development agenda.
The Minister urged Nene Ofei Tagbaja to be a unifier and visionary leader, capable of drawing people together and inspiring community-driven initiatives. She also called on the people of Asesewa to rally behind their new Chief and support his vision for development.
Mrs. Awatey reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting local development through decentralization, infrastructure development, youth empowerment, and agricultural modernization. However, she emphasized that development cannot be achieved by government alone, and that communities must take ownership.
The Minister congratulated Nene Ofei Tagbaja and commended all stakeholders for making the ceremony a reality. She prayed for the new Chief’s reign to be long, peaceful, and marked by development, inclusiveness, and prosperity.