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Nana Akwasi Agyeman

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Barima Nana Akwasi Agyeman was a Ghanaian civil servant and a member of the Asante Royal family who served as Mayor of Kumasi serving as Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE) for the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly.[1][2] He was popularly known as Okumkom, literally meaning ''killer of hunger''.[3][4][5][6][7][8] He is the longest serving mayor of Kumasi serving for over 20 years as mayor.[8][4] He died at the age of 86.[3] He was a prominent member of National Democratic Congress.[9]

Early and family life

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Agyeman was born into the Oyoko Royal family and was a member of the Asante Royal family until his death.[10] He was reported to have been in a pole position amongst those who were shortlisted to be the Asantehene in both 1970 and in 1999, but eventually wasn't selected.[11][12]

Career and politics

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Agyeman served as Mayor of Kumasi and chairman of Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly during the Supreme Military Council government of late Head of state Ignatius Kutu Acheampong in 1977.[1] He continued in that capacity through the presidency of Hilla Limann in 1979 to 1981 and also during the era of Jerry John Rawlings till he was replaced in January 2001 by Maxwell Kofi Jumah.[13][12][14][1][15]

He was a member of the National Democratic Congress and considered as a close confidant of Jerry John Rawlings.[16][17] Whilst serving as Mayor of Kumasi in the 1990s, he was appointed by Jerry John Rawlings to serve also as a Deputy Minister of Science and Environment.[9][18] Agyeman also served as a special envoy in his latter days in the public sector to Jerry John Rawlings whilst he was in government.[17][15]

Death and burial

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Agyeman died 14 January 2020 at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi after an illness.[10][1] His funeral and burial took place from 24 February to 27 February 2020 and was chaired by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu at the Manhyia Palace as Agyeman was a royal.[19] The funeral was well attended by politicians, civil servants and high-profile personalities in Ghana including former presidents; Jerry John Rawlings and his wife Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, John Kufuor and John Dramani Mahama. President Nana Akufo-Addo and his vice president Bawumia were also present.[20][21][22]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d Frimpong, Enoch Darfah (14 January 2020). "Okumkɔm Nana Akwasi Agyeman, former Kumasi Mayor passes on". Graphic Online. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  2. ^ Bulmuo, Bruce Misbahu (15 March 2017). "Nana Akwasi Agyeman Declares Support For Incoming Mayor of Kumasi". Peacefmonline - Ghana news. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  3. ^ a b Awuah Jnr, I.F. Joe (15 January 2020). "Okumkom Is Dead". DailyGuide Network. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  4. ^ a b "Akwasi Agyeman Quits Politics for Good". Modern Ghana. 3 May 2001. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  5. ^ Offin-Amaniampong, Gordon (28 February 2020). "Akwasi Agyeman Makes Final Journey Home". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  6. ^ "Next KMA Boss - Okumkom?". Modern Ghana. 15 April 2005. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  7. ^ Chronicle (15 January 2009). "Will 'Okumkom' Switch Again". ghanaweb. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  8. ^ a b "Okumkom worked with war-front zeal – Rawlings". ghanaweb. 26 February 2020. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  9. ^ a b "Mahama Pays Tribute To Late Nana Akwasi Agyeman". Modern Ghana. 14 February 2020. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  10. ^ a b "Former Kumasi Mayor Nana Akwasi Agyemang is dead - MyJoyOnline.com". myjoyonline. 14 January 2020. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  11. ^ "The long and deep story of how Kweku Dua became Otumfuo Osei Tutu II". ghanaweb. 4 April 2019. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  12. ^ a b McCaskie, T. C. (2007). "The Life and Afterlife of Yaa Asantewaa". Africa: Journal of the International African Institute. 77 (2): 151–179. doi:10.3366/afr.2007.77.2.151. ISSN 0001-9720. JSTOR 40026704. S2CID 144077555.
  13. ^ Refugees, United Nations High Commissioner for (29 June 2001). "Refworld | Ghana: Update to GHA37247.E of 11 June 2001 on the name of the mayor of Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly in February 1999 and whether he still holds this position". Refworld. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  14. ^ Boadu-Ayeboafoh, Yaw (29 January 2005). Daily Graphic: Issue 149342 January 29 2005. Accra: Graphic Communications Group.
  15. ^ a b Ghana News Agency (8 May 2001). "Akwasi Agyeman Pledges to Support Kufuor". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  16. ^ "Mahama pays tribute to former Kumasi Mayor, Nana Kwasi Agyemang - MyJoyOnline.com". myjoyonline. 13 February 2020. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  17. ^ a b Oquaye, Mike (2004). Politics in Ghana, 1982-1992: Rawlings, Revolution, and Populist Democracy. Tornado Publications. ISBN 978-9988-7868-1-6.
  18. ^ Jakande, L. K. (1996). West Africa Annual. James Clarke. ISBN 978-978-163-096-5.
  19. ^ "Rawlings, Nana Konadu mourn Nana Akwasi Agyeman". Graphic Online. 25 February 2020. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  20. ^ Lartey, Nii Lante (26 February 2020). "Former KMA boss, Barima Akwasi Agyemang laid to rest". Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  21. ^ "Former Mayor of Kumasi Akwasi Agyeman laid to rest". ghanaweb. 25 February 2020. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  22. ^ Awuah Jnr., I.F. Joe (24 February 2020). "Okumkom Goes Home Today". DailyGuide Network. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
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