Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi II launches GH¢500,000 education fund and ICT project at Elluo festival

Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi II, Paramount Chief of the Sefwi Anhwiaso Traditional Area and President of the National House of Chiefs, has launched a GH¢500,000 educational endowment fund to support brilliant but financially challenged students within the traditional area. The initiative, known as the Ogyeahoho Education Fund, aims to expand access to quality education and accelerate the area’s development.

At the 2025 Elluo Festival durbar in Bibiani, he also announced a personal contribution of GH¢200,000 and donated 20 desktop computers toward the construction of a modern ICT laboratory centre for students. He said the fund would ease the heavy financial burden on parents who struggle to support their children through tertiary education.

Held under the theme “Our Heritage, Our People, Our Development,” the festival highlighted the importance of safeguarding local cultural identity. Ogyeahoho Gyebi II urged residents to protect and preserve their heritage as a foundation for collective progress.

Special Guest of Honour Dr Daniel McKorley, CEO of the McDan Group, commended the Paramount Chief for his leadership and cultural advocacy. He encouraged the youth to harness the area’s rich natural resources to create economic opportunities. Dr McKorley also pledged GH¢2 million in interest-free loans for women in the traditional area and scholarships for 10 brilliant but needy students.

Chairman of the occasion, Awulae Agyefi Kwame II of the Nsein Traditional Area, called on chiefs to strengthen collaboration with the government in the fight against illegal mining.

The festival featured traditional displays of drumming, dancing and pageantry, and attracted several high-profile attendees, including Mr Ahmed Ibrahim, Minister for Local Government and Religious Affairs; Mr Wilbert Petty Brentum, Western North Regional Minister; Mr Bright Asamoah Brefo, MP for Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai; and Mr Afful Benteh Kofi, MP for Sefwi.

Other notable chiefs in attendance included Okogyeman Kwaku Gyeaprah III, Paramount Chief of Sefwi Chirano, and Nana Ofori Ahenkah, Chief of Boinzan and Acting President of the Sefwi Wiawso Traditional Council.