The Chiefs and people of Akyem Akokoaso in the Eastern Region have held a memorial and centenary celebration of their legendary Chief, Nana Asare Bediako III.
A centenary church service was also organised by the local council of churches led by the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Akokoaso Congregation in recognition of the Chief’s unwavering dedication to the Church.
Nana Asare-Bediako III known in private life as Samuel Kwabena Amoabeng was born at Akyem Akokoaso in the then Brim North District of the Eastern region of Ghana, on the 21st April, 1925, departing on 11th May, 1996.
He was elected as Akokoasohene on 14th January 1952, bringing massive development to the area.
The chiefs and people of Akokoaso fondly eulogised their renowned chief, describing him as a selfless and a visionary leader who immensely transformed the lives of his people throughout his reign.
He worked tirelessly to improve their lot, particularly in areas of Education, Transportation, Communication and Agriculture.
His reign witnessed the building of the Akokoaso Post Office, the first in the Akyem Kotoku Area.
Through his untiring initiative, additional Elementary School, the Local Authority Primary and Middle School were established at Akokoaso.
With his unique vision and effort, the Middle School was upgraded to Akokoaso Secondary/Technical School.
Nana Asare Bediako III also worked hard and succeeded in linking Akokoaso to the rest of the country by initiating various road projects.
Prior to his ascension to the stool, Akokoaso was a one-way route only accessible through the Ofoase road, which was opened in 1929.
However, during his reign, the following roads were built: the Akokoaso – Made Motor Road, the Akokoaso-Boso Villa Road, the Akokoaso – Adwafo Road.
This enabled easy access to the communities surrounding Akokoaso.
Special prayers
As part of the centenary celebration, special prayers were said for the family of Nana Asare Bediako III and the Chiefs and People of Akokoaso.
Rev. Dr. Alijah Wuni Naboo who led the prayers entreated the children of the late celebrated Chief to stay united and emulate the exemplary life of their departed father.
Donation
Again, as part of the centenary celebration, one of the sons of Nana Asare-Bediako, Chairman Yaw Gyekye Amoabeng donated 100 dual chairs that will contain about 400 congregants, to the Akyem Akokoaso Presbyterian Church.
Mr. Amoabeng who is a successful businessman and a former Eastern Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) described his late father as a man with vision, who kept the minutest record of everything he encountered.
This, he said, helped his father to face challenges with great determination and therefore advised all to keep records of whatever they do.
About Nana Asare-Bediako III
Nana Asare-Bediako III known in private life as Samuel Kwabena Amoabeng was born at Akyem Akokoaso in the then Brim North District of the Eastern region of Ghana, on the 21st day of April 1925.
His parents were Opanin John Kwabena Kyei and Madam Christiana Akua Ataah Tenkoramaah.
He was descendant of Nana Duah Brah, the 12 Queen mother of Anwomaso.
Nana Asare-Bediako III was baptized on the 16th day of August 1925 by Rev George P. Acquah of the Presbyterian Church.
He began his primary education at the Akokoaso Presbyterian Junior School and continue at Awisa Presbyterian Boys Senior School between 1937 and 1938.
In 1939 the late Rev. Emmanuel Anyimadu Antwi a teacher of Aburi Presbyterian Senior Boys School recognise his scholarly potential.
He therefore arranged for him to study at the Aburi Presbyterian Senior Boys School. The school late a lot of emphasis on the study of agriculture.
This was a lasting influence on the life of Nana Asare-Bediako III. In 1940 he successfully completed Standard Seven.
Anxious to further his education, Nana wrote and passed the entrance Examination to Accra Academy and Achimota School. However, he could not realize his ambitions to attend any of these school due to financial resources.
He therefore went to live with his elder brother Mr Gideon Kwame Sah who was a Tribunal Registrar at the New Juaben (Benkumhene’s Court), at Koforidua Asokore for two years.
In August 1942, Nana joined the Royal West African Frontier Force at the peak of the Second World War.
He was among the first batch of recruit to be trained at the No. 4 (West African) Clerks Training School at Agogo.
While in training he was appointed recruit Non-commission Officer (Lance Corporal) and giving command to the truths in his platoon.
He passed out a competent office clerk and a typist.
Nana was posted upon passing out to his school of Artillery he served at the Regimental Headquarters as Clerk.
He rose quickly through the ranks being appointed in his first year as a Paid Lance Bombardier, the equivalence of Lance Corporal, then to a full Bombardier and finally a Class 1 Sergeant Clerk.
In 1946 Nana was seconded to the Resettlement Branch of the Labour Department of the Gold Coast Civil service as a Resettlement Assistant.
His schedule was to help resettle the demobilise soldiers.
He was then posted to Ashanti province and served in all the District of the province.
In 1947 Nana Asare-Bediako was demobilized from the army and absorbed into the Gold Coast civil service as a Second Division Clerk.
He wrote and passed an accelerated promotion examination and was promoted as a first division Clerk.
On 13th December 1951 Nana Pobi Asomaning II “went to the village”.
On 14th day of January 1952, Nana Asare-Bediako III was elected to succeed him as Akokoasohene. He was therefore compelled to resign from the Civil Service.
The reign of Nana Asare-Bediako III as Akokoasohene was marked by progress and development for his people. He worked tirelessly to improve their lot. Among his major concerns where Education, Transportation, Communication and Agriculture. Through his untiring initiative an additional Elementary School the Local Authority Primary and Middle School was established at Akokoaso. His unique vision and effort brought the Akokoaso Secondary/Technical School.
Nana worked to and succeeded in linking Akokoaso to the rest of the country by initiating various Road projects.
Prior to his ascension to the stool, Akokoaso was a one-way route only accessible through the Ofoase road which was opened in 1929. During his reign, the following roads were built.
The Akokoaso – Made Motor Road
The Akokoaso – Boso Villa Road
The Akokoaso – Adwafo Road.
This has enabled easy access links with Abrim to the North, and Oda to the South. Jade and Accra to the East and Ofoase to Ashanti, Oboase to the West.
His reign also witnessed the building of the Akokoaso Post Office, the first in the Akyem Kotoku Area.
As noted earlier, Aburi Presbyterian Senior Boys School imbued Nana with keen interest in Agriculture. Thus he actively pursued farming. This interest was further strengthened by an Israeli Government scholarship between 1971-1972 when he attended a course in Farm Management and Extension Methods in Israel. Nana has shared his interest and knowledge with others.
He encouraged citrus and Oil palm cultivation in the Akokoaso Area.
In 1990, the government recognised his contribution to Agriculture by awarded him the high honour of being the Best Eastern Region Citrus farmer.
Nana Asare-Bediako III set on several committees and boards.
He was a member of the (Colonial) West Akim District Development Committee, the Akyem Kotoku Traditional Council, the District and Regional Agricultural Committees, the Board of Governors of Oda Secondary School.
He also served as the Chairman of Abirem Local Council, the District Charter Committee and on the Scholarship Board of the Akyem Kotoku Traditional Council.
A sound organizer and unified he was he was the instrumental as the founder and Chairman of the Abirem Area Council.
This comprised of all the towns and villages in the area.
The pleasant and distinguished personality of Nana Asare-Bediako III drew many dignitaries to the District.
On 5th July 1996 for instance General Ocean and Colonel Yeboah of the National Liberation Council honoured his invitation to integrate the area charter committees at Abirem.
They traveled by helicopter, the first time a helicopter landed in the Abirem local Council Area.
He again invited Colonel Nyate on 25th January 1995 to open the newly built school block.
Information and Home Science centres at Akokoaso on 27th July 1997.
He also travelled to Akokoaso by helicopter.
Nana traveled widely in and outside Ghana. He visited France while he was studying in Israel as a guest French government and also Denmark at the invitation of the Danish broadcasting authority.
Nana abdicated is to in 1980 as a result of ill health but he was enstooled again in 1983 maintaining his stool name Nana Asare-Bediako III. He abdicated again in 1992. Although he was abdicated, he continued his quota towards the development of Akokoaso.
Nana peacefully went to his village on 11th May 1996 after a short illness. He left behind with 16 children.
May his Soul Rest in Peace.
May he rest in perfect peace.
