Born in 1933 at Akrokerri in the Adansi North District, Hon. Rev. Dr. Nana Owusu Akyeaw Brempong typifies the rare trait of a man who is the first to report to a meeting and the last to leave.
He told SMS Media in an interview that he inherited this trait from his late dad who once worked as a cook and later steward with then Ashanti Gold Corporation. He said his father passed on this trait of punctuality and strict adherence to time management to himself and his other siblings.
A former teacher ,a District Secretary (now District Chief Executive) a man of God and a family man, Nana Owusu Akyeaw Brempong who is now serving as Odikro of Bogobiri a suburb of Obuasi, a position he has held since July, 1983 shared his life experience with SMS News.
SMS News: Nana, which year were you born and where?
Nana: I was born at Akrokerri in the Adansi North District in 1933 but comes from Patakro near Kwapia in the same district.
SMS News: Nana, can you share with us your journey through education?
Nana: I started school at Anyinam Methodist Primary school and then moved to Amponyase Catholic primary, Juaso Government school, Mampong Primary, St Joseph Primary school at Krofuom, Ksi, OSU Progress school, Gold Coast National primary school, Dunkwa Methodist school, Akrokerri Catholic primary school and finally completed at Akrokerri Catholic Senior school in 1951.
When quized about why he was changing schools, Nana Owusu Akyeaw Brempong said he had to live with his Uncle who was a Policeman hence followed him around whenever he was transferred.
SMS NEWS : Nana, didn’t that affect your education at some point?
Nana: No, it didn’t but rather,it toughened me and broaden my horizon. Infact, I learnt different culture and also learnt from different environment.
As s trained teacher
Nana gave SMS News an insight into his life as a teacher which he said started from his days at Berekum training college in the Bono Region where he enrolled as a student for 2 years from 1954 to 1956. He said he followed it up by teaching at New Amakom Primary school in Kumasi where he taught for 2 years.
He sai he went back to Peki training college in the Volta region to again study for 2 years before starting his journey as a trained teacher.
SMS News: Nana, which schools did you teach after school?
Nana: I taught it in a lof of schools in different districts. I started off at Mankraso Middle school in the Ahafo- Ano South West district of the Ashanti Region in 1960, proceeded to Potrikrom where I was appointed as Headteacher.
I later taught at Mfensi, Asonomanso before I was moved to the Education office in Kumasi as a Social security officer. I was moved to Nkawie Education office before becoming a Circuit officer for Abuakwa- Mponua.
SMS News: Nana, did you ever teach at Obuasi?
Nana: Not really but I must say, due to Divine intervention and hardwork,I was transferred to the Obuasi District Education office in 1977 to serve as a circuit officer initially as the first Circuit officer for Aboabo No. 2, then to Fomena- Dompoase before finally I was promoted to the position of a District Training officer at the Adansi District.
Politics and a District Secretary (now DCE)
Nana Owusu Akyeaw Brempong became the District Secretary for the Adansi East District ( capital New Edubiase) between 1988 to 1998.
SMS NEWS,: Nana, kindly take us through your political life.
Nana: During the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) era, most of the DS were teachers . Infact, I started off as a PDC chairman at the Education office and later at Mangoase. I led communal labour activities and sold the ideals of the PNDC to the people.
Due to my hardwork, I was recommended and appointed as DS for the Adansi East District when it was created
SMS NEWS: Nana, can you share with us some of your key achievements?
Nana: They are many but let me mention few of them. I built the Edubiase Assembly block, the DCE bungalow and some Staff bungalows. I also spearheaded the conversion of the Health center into a hospital as well as extended electricity from Obuasi to Edubiase. Again, I lobbied for the construction of the Highway from Anwiankwanta to Yamroansa Junction.
SMS News: Nana, so when did you tenure end and what happened afterwards?
Nana: My tenure of office came to an end in 1998 on health grounds and I had to settle in Obuasi. Since I retired from active politics, I have served the Obuasi Municipal Assembly in different capacities including Convenor for the Agric Sub- committee, an Appointed Assembly member as well as chairing various committees and meetings.
Traditional ruler
Nana Owusu Akyeaw Brempong was appointed the Odikro of Bogobiri in July, 1983 and promoted to Odikropanin. Nana currently serves as the Chairman of Adikro and Mmaapanin Association in Obuasi.
Reverend Minster (PhD)
Nana Owusu Akyeaw Brempong alluded that he enrolled at the Christian University College,Kumasi to study Theology as a pledge to God after he was healed of a strange disease in Canada.
SMS NEWS: Nana, is the ‘Doctor’ title an honorary one or academic?
Nana: It is academic. It was conferred on me after successfully writing four (4) thesis. I am currently a Senior pastor of the Universal Church of the Living God here at Bigobiri.
Secret to long life and athleticism
The Bogobiri dikro who will be 90 years in June shared his secret to long life and good health. Nana said, the secret to long life is to fear God, cultivate the habit of truthfulness, build healthy relationship with people and willingness to forgive.
He advised the youth to do more exercise and take in more vegetables.
Future of Obuasi
Nana Owusu Akyeaw Brempong attributed the disparity in terms of growth and development in Obuasi as compared to South Africa to the lack of commitment on the part of the erstwhile Ashanti Goldfields Corporation to develop Obuasi.
He said then AGC was obsessed with profits to the detriment of the development of the host town.
However, Nana praised the management of AngloGold Ashanti saying since 2004 when AGA came to Obuasi, they have deepened it’s relationship with the stakeholders of the mine and this has resulted in some level of development.
He particularly lauded them for the introduction of various developmental plans including the previous 3 year Social Management Plan and the current 10 year Socioeconomic Development Plan (SEDP).
The nonagerian was optimistic about the future saying the future of Obuasi looks very brighter.