Akim Kotoku Omanhene put on Black Stool

Akim Oda (Eastern Region) 8th June ?99

The newly installed Omanhene of Akim Kotoku Traditional Area was in the early hours of Monday put on the "Black Stool" at Akim Oda.

The ceremony, which signified the final installation of Dr Joseph Kyei-Minta as the new Omanhene under the stool name of Oseadeeye Frempong Manso IV, was held at "Nkonwafieso" at the palace.

Oseadeeye Frempong Manso succeeds Okofrobour Agyeman Attafua IV who died in June, last year, and was buried at Akim Oda in May, this year.

According to an enstoolment programme released at the weekend by the Acting President of the Traditional Area, Obrempong Affum Afronteng IV, Oseadeeye Frempong Manso will sit at the Palace on Monday to receive well wishers.

On Tuesday, June eight, the new Omanhene will sit at the Palace to receive homage from chiefs and people of Kotoku. On Thursday, June 24, he will sit in state at Gyasekese for his Chiefs and subjects to swear the oath of allegiance to him.

According to the programme, there will be a purification ceremony at the palace and the stool house on Friday, June 25, to be followed by a durbar of chiefs to outdoor the Omanhene at the Public Park on Saturday, June 26.

A thanksgiving service will follow at the Presbyterian Church at Akim Oda on Sunday, June 27.

Oseadeeye Frempong Manso, 42, known in private life as Dr Joseph Kyei-Minta, was born at Agogo-Hwidiem into the Agona Royal Family of Frempong Manso, the true and rightful occupants of the Frempong Manso Abohyen Dwa of Akim Kotoku.

He had his secondary education at Konongo Odumase Secondary School where he obtained his Ordinary Level Certificate in 1975.

He later completed the two-year sixth form course at the St. Augustine's College in Cape Coast where he had his Advanced Level certificate in 1977.

He entered the University of Science and Technology (UST) Medical School in Kumasi but later transferred to Semmelweis Medical School in Budapest, Hungary, where he obtained his Bachelor of Medicine Degree in 1987.

Dr Kyei-Minta enrolled at the University of Medicine and Dentistry in New Jersey, United States, and did consultancy training in Internal Medicine that he successfully completed in 1993.

The new Kotokumanhene started his working life at the Mt. Sinal University Hospital where he worked for a few years before going into private practice.

Dr Kyei-Minta, who currently runs two clinics in New York, also owns the Comprehensive Services Company in Ghana, dealers in earth moving equipment such as graders, excavators, payloaders, forklifts and low loaders.

He is married with two children.

Meanwhile, a mini durbar was held at Akim Oda on Monday where the Omanhene sat in state to receive well wishers.