“My Enstoolment Not a Title to Wear but a Call to Serve” , Black American Mpuntuhemaa Pledges

New Mpuntuhemaa of Abura Odonase, Nana Aba Ekua Somuah I, vows to champion development and women’s empowerment

ABURA ODONASE, C/R — The newly enstooled Mpuntuhemaa for Abura Odonase in the Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese District of the Central Region, Nana Aba Ekua Somuah I, has described her elevation to the traditional stool not as a title for prestige, but as a solemn call to serve her people.

Nana Aba Ekua Somuah I, a Ghanaian diaspora based in the United States of America, known in private life as Dr. Cheryl P. Williamson who holds high office in the United States, said she accepts the traditional responsibility with humility and a deep sense of duty.

Speaking at her colourful enstoolment ceremony at Abura Odonase, the new queen mother pledged to make her reign impactful by focusing on community development and the empowerment of women in the locality.

“My enstoolment is not a title to wear but a call to serve,” Nana Aba Ekua Somuah I reiterated, stressing that traditional leadership must be measured by its tangible impact on the lives of the people.

According to her, her new role presents a strategic opportunity to mobilise resources, partnerships and investment to improve the socio-economic wellbeing of residents, particularly women and youth.

She pledged to work closely with traditional authorities, opinion leaders, government institutions, development partners and private sector actors to roll out sustainable interventions that address the pressing needs of the community.

In fulfilment of that commitment, she disclosed that her enstoolment has already attracted a delegation of over 25 investors from the United States who are in the community to identify viable avenues for investment.

Speaking on behalf of the Paramount Chief of Abura Traditional Area, Emintsinminim Otu XI, the Obaatan of the Traditional Area, Nana Kwame Tsipo Amanfo VIII, underscored the importance of unity for development.

He noted that without unity, there can be no meaningful development, adding that chiefs as custodians of the land must lead the charge in fostering cohesion.

He also used the occasion to advise the youth of Abura Odonase and its environs to desist from the abuse of hard drugs such as cocaine, marijuana and tramadol, describing substance abuse as a grave danger to human development and community progress.

For his part, the President of the Ghana Tourism Federation and an indigene of Abura Odonase, Mr. Seth Fiifi Ocran, said tourism has evolved beyond sightseeing into a serious business venture capable of transforming local economies.

According to him, tourism must be seen as a tool for job creation and income generation, urging the traditional leadership and the community to position Abura Odonase to tap into its tourism and cultural potential.

The ceremony attracted chiefs, queen mothers, family members, residents, and well-wishers from both Ghana and the diaspora.