"My Enstoolment Not a Title to Wear but a Call to Serve”— Barack Obama's Former Personal Assistant Installed Odonase Mpuntuhemaa Pledges ‎

The newly enstooled Mpuntuhemaa for Abura Odonase in the Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese District in the Central Region, Nana Aba Ekua Somuah I, has described her traditional elevation not as a title to display but as a solemn call to serve, pledging to dedicate her tenure to the community's development and empowerment of women within locality.

‎Nana Aba Ekua Somuah l, a Ghanaian diaspora based in the USA, known in private life as Dr. Cheryl P. Williamson who served as the Personal Assistant to former US president Barack Obama, affirmed her acceptance to the traditional responsibility with humility and a strong sense of duty, stressing that her new role will translate into tangible benefits for the people.

‎“My enstoolment is not a title to wear but a call to serve,” Nana Ekua Somuah I re-echoed at her enstoolment ceremony, emphasising the need for traditional leadership to be measured by its impact on the lives of the people.

‎According to her, the position presents an opportunity to mobilise resources, partnerships and investment opportunities to improve the socioeconomic wellbeing of women and contribute to the broader development of Abura Odonase.

‎Nana Aba Ekua Somuah I said her enstoolment has deepened her commitment to serving the community rather than pursuing personal recognition.

‎She pledged to work closely with traditional authorities, community leaders, government institutions, development partners and private-sector actors to identify sustainable interventions capable of addressing the needs of residents. In fulfillment to that, her enstoolment for over 25 investment delegation from the US to identify available avenues in the community for investment.

‎Speaking on behalf of the Paramount Chief of the Abura State, Nana Kwame Tsipo Amanfo VIII, Obaatan of the Traditional Area noted that without unity, there cannot be any meaningful development, and chiefs as custodians of the land must lead the charge.

‎He said chieftaincy disputes is a major setbacks to development and must be avoided.

‎He urged the youths to desist from the abuse of drugs like cocaine, marijuana and tramadol because it's a danger to human development.

‎Mr. Seth Fiifi Ocran, President for Ghana Tourism Federation who doubles as indigene of Abura Odonase in an engagement with the media remarked that tourism isn't more about site-seeing but a serious business venture.

‎According to him, tourism has evolved beyond just visiting attractive sites to a business that creates jobs and generates income.

‎He inspired the youth and entrepreneurs to build business with trust and time, noting that trust and consistency are key to sustaining any tourism-related business 

‎Nana Aba Ekua Somuah, affirming her strong edge for educational development in Abura Odonase and its environs, her installment ceremony was climaxp with a sod-cutting for the construction of an ultramodern ICT facility in the community.

‎Sompaonline.com// Eric Annan

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