Tikrom Chief Calls on Ghanaians to Support Community Development Efforts
Traditional leaders in the Ashanti Region have been urged to use their authority and influence to drive meaningful development and improve the living conditions of their people, as government alone cannot address all community needs.
Making this appeal, Nana Oti Awere II, Chief of Tikrom in the Ejisu Municipality of the Ashanti Region, called on Ghanaians—particularly natives of various towns and communities—to actively support development initiatives in their hometowns in order to complement government efforts.
According to Nana Oti Awere II, the relevance of chieftaincy in modern times must be measured by the level of development and social progress achieved within communities. He cautioned traditional rulers against using their power in ways that undermine their people, urging them instead to channel their influence towards initiatives that promote unity, sustainable development and improved livelihoods.
The Tikrom Chief noted that this development-driven approach to traditional leadership has been strongly championed by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, who continues to encourage chiefs across the Ashanti Kingdom to prioritise sustainable development as a pathway to lasting community transformation.
“In these modern times, the main purpose of a chief is to seek development for his community, as championed by Otumfuo Osei Tutu II,” Nana Oti Awere II stated. He added that leadership should be judged by the positive impact it makes on the lives of the people, stressing that development remains the most enduring legacy any traditional ruler can leave behind.
Nana Oti Awere II made these remarks during his annual Christmas donation exercise for the people of Tikrom, an initiative he has consistently undertaken for the past seven years. The exercise has become an important annual event aimed at supporting vulnerable families while fostering unity, love and togetherness during the festive season.
As part of this year’s celebration, the chief distributed assorted food items to thousands of community members, including children, to enable them to celebrate Christmas in joy and dignity. Items shared included bags of rice, cooking oil, soft drinks, biscuits, sardines, mackerel, chicken and other essential food supplies.
According to the chief, the donation was meant to ease the burden on vulnerable households and reinforce the spirit of sharing and communal support, particularly during the Christmas period. He further appealed to well-to-do individuals and indigenes of Tikrom, both home and abroad, to support ongoing development projects in the community.
Beneficiaries who spoke in separate interviews expressed profound appreciation to Nana Oti Awere II for his continuous generosity and commitment to the welfare of the people of Tikrom. One beneficiary noted that the chief’s annual gesture has consistently brought smiles and relief to many families during the festive season.
The beneficiaries also appealed to other citizens and philanthropists from Tikrom to rally behind the chief’s development agenda, stressing that collective effort and shared responsibility would accelerate development and significantly improve living standards in the community.
Nana Oti Awere II concluded by reiterating that sustainable development can only be achieved through strong collaboration among traditional authorities, government and citizens, calling on all Ghanaians to contribute their quota towards building stronger, united and prosperous communities.
