Over the last 300 years, the Minority Leader in Ghana’s Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin , is the first person to perform the ceremonial and traditional rituals reserved for the title bearer of ‘Osahen’, during the Aboakyer festival of the Effutu State.
In November last year, Afenyo-Markin was officially installed as the Osahen of Effutu – the Chief Warrior of the Effutu State, making him the Commander-in-Chief of the two Asafo Companies; of Tuafo No. 1 and Dentsifo No. 2.
As Osahen, he is the traditional liaison between the Asafo Companies and the Paramount Chief. The position of Osahen is not a chieftaincy title but a highly revered traditional position bestowed on only illustrious sons of the soil who have displaying courage and moral fortitude in the pursuit of a noble cause.
It was a historic moment over the weekend for the people of Effutu to have an Osahen play his vital role in the Aboakyer festival after a long break of 300 years and that significant role was played by no other person than the incumbent Member of Parliament for the area, Alexander Afenyo-Markin.
It was the first time Afenyo-Markin, in his official capacity as Osahen attended an Aboakyer festival and his presence there and role played became the talk of town.
As tradition demands, the Osahen does not join the general procession through the principal streets. Rather he sits in state in his full regalia at the palace in wait of the Asafo Companies to come pay homage to him.
He is to see that all the requisite protocols are fully observed before the Omanhene, the Paramount Chief appears in public during the festival.
