Nana Boakye Yam II is the Nkwantakesehene (Chief of Nkwantakese) in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. Nkwantakese is within the Afigya Kwabre traditional area of Ghana’s Ashanti Region. Nana Boakye Yam as the Chief of Nkwantakese, is as well, the RIGHT-HAND MAN (THE NIFAHENE) OF OTUMFOƆ OSEI TUTU 11, and as such, one of the Mighty and highly respected Chiefs of Ghana and Africa, with international reputation.
Nana Boakye Yam is a generous personality widely known for his magnanimity. One example of his philanthropy is freely giving me a free allocation for my house which is HN C230 BLK E at Nkwantakese Habitat. Nana, May you live long!
1. His traditional office
His traditional title is:Nana Boakye Yam II, Nkwantakesehene. He exercises traditional leadership over Nkwantakese and has been actively involved in Community Development, Education, Health, Sanitation And Local Infrastructure. His role is therefore not merely ceremonial. Contemporary reports show him working with the district assembly, Members of Parliament, educational authorities and other public institutions on development projects.
2. His installation
He was installed as Che around 2007, and by 2017 had reached the tenth anniversary of his installation. His reign has been characterized in public records by a strong emphasis on community development, education, health, water, sanitation, infrastructure and peace.
3. His contribution to education
Education appears to be one of the strongest features of Nana Boakye Yam II’s reign.
The Afigya-Kwabre District Assembly reported that he had used stool-land revenue and other resources to support:
- Accommodation for Teachers;
- Additional Classrooms;
- A School Library;
- An Ict Centre;
- Tables and Chairs For Pupils; and
- Other Educational Facilities.
This is significant because traditional authorities sometimes possess substantial influence over the availability of land for public educational infrastructure.Nana Boakye Yam II has used that influence to facilitate educational development in his community.
4. Nana Boakye Yam II Basic School
One of the clearest examples of his educational contribution occurred at Bronkong-Abuakwa (Kokooano).
On 30 March 2022, a Six-Unit Classroom Block constructed with GETFund support was commissioned. The school was subsequently named: NANA BOAKYE YAM II BASIC SCHOOL in honour of the Nkwantakesehene.
The Afigya Kwabre South District Assembly explained that he had made land available for the school, and the District Director of Education specifically acknowledged that without the land, children in the area would have been deprived of access to the facility. At the ceremony, Nana Boakye Yam II also donated GH¢10,000 to support the school. This is particularly good evidence of his direct involvement in education.
5. Health development
Health is another important part of his community leadership. In 2015, a Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compound was inaugurated at Nkwantakese. The facility was intended not only for Nkwantakese but also for surrounding communities including:
- Panpatia
- Patase;
- Penteng;
- Esaase;
- Danase; and
- Akrofrom.
Nana Boakye Yam II stated that the community had undertaken the project because it did not want to depend entirely upon government for its development needs.This demonstrates a philosophy of community self-help combined with traditional leadership.
6. Maternal health
His concern for health has also extended beyond his immediate traditional area. In a Ghana News Agency report concerning maternal mortality, Nana Boakye Yam II called for stronger efforts to prevent maternal deaths and emphasized that preventing maternal mortality should be the responsibility of all stakeholders. This is consistent with the broader development-oriented character attributed to his leadership.
7. Water and Sanitation
The Afigya-Kwabre District Assembly specifically credited Nana Boakye Yam II with supporting improvements in water and sanitation. Among the projects associated with his leadership was the construction of a borehole, providing the community with access to potable water. He was also associated with efforts to improve roads and street lighting.
8. Roads and Community Infrastructure
According to the 2017 Ghana News Agency report, Nana Boakye Yam II’s administration had supported:
- Resurfacing of Town Roads;
- Installation/Repair of Street Bulbs;
- Educational Infrastructure;
- Teacher Accommodation;
- Health Facilities; and
- Water Infrastructure.
These projects illustrate an important aspect of contemporary Ghanaian chieftaincy. Traditional leadership increasingly functions as a partner in local development.
9. Land as an instrument of development
One of the most important aspects of his leadership is his use of stool land for community development. The District Assembly reported that revenue from stool lands had contributed to projects such as teacher accommodation and educational facilities.
His contribution to the Bronkong-Abuakwa school also demonstrates the importance of land itself: he made land available for the construction of the school. This is an excellent example of how traditional land custodianship can translate into practical community benefits.
10. His involvement in community unity
Nana Boakye Yam II has also participated in wider traditional leadership initiatives in Afigya Kwabre. In 2015, at the Efie ne Fie (Homecoming) Festival, he chaired a gathering of chiefs and community members.
The festival had the blessing of the Asantehene and was intended to promote a united development agenda and improve the lives of people in the area. Nana Boakye Yam II expressed the hope that such forums would help bridge gaps among chiefs and promote peace and harmony. This indicates that his leadership philosophy includes not only physical development but also traditional cooperation and social cohesion.
11. Religious and community activities
Nana Boakye Yam II has also participated in religious and community events. In December 2020, he was the Special Guest at the dedication and commissioning of a church building at Christland/Aduamoa.
At the ceremony, he expressed encouragement at seeing young people contribute to the construction of the church and expressed hope for their continued progress. This illustrates his engagement with the religious and youth communities within his traditional area.
12. His participation in judicial/community institutions
In April 2023, Nana Boakye Yam II participated in the commissioning of a courthouse complex at Boamang. A photograph accompanying the report shows him assisting the Chief Justice, Justice Kwasi Anin Yeboah, in cutting the ceremonial tape.
This again demonstrates his participation in public-community development rather than restricting his role to purely traditional ceremonies.
13. His Leadership Philosophy
From the public record, several themes emerge.
Education
He has consistently supported schools and educational infrastructure.
Health
He has supported community health infrastructure and advocated improved health outcomes.
Self-help
He has encouraged communities to take responsibility for development rather than relying exclusively on central government.
Cooperation
He has advocated collaboration between chiefs, government institutions and community members.
Peace
He has supported harmony among chiefs and communities. He has settled disputes between chiefs in the Asante Kingdom and even extend the peace-keeping to other traditional areas. When there is any strong traditional dispute, he is often the one who goes there or at times delegated by the Otumfoɔ to be there to ensure peace. Fortunately, by virtue of his wisdom and justice in arbitration, as well respect accorded him nationwide and even globally, peace is eventually achieved through his intervention.
Youth development
His statements at educational and religious functions demonstrate concern for the younger generation.
14. A particularly Important Achievement: The School Named After Him
The naming of Nana Boakye Yam II Basic School deserves special attention.
This is not merely an honorary title. The official district account states that the school was named in his honour because of his contribution to educational development, particularly his provision of land for the project. He also donated GH¢10,000 to the school at its commissioning. Therefore, the school provides tangible evidence of his legacy.
15. Summary biography
He has immensely supported the development of peace in the country. In terms of Education, he has been very helpful in the provision of teacher accommodation, classrooms, libraries, ICT facilities and potable water. He has also made land available for educational and health infrastructure. In 2022, a six-unit classroom block at Bronkong-Abuakwa was named Nana Boakye Yam II Basic School in his honour, and he donated GH¢10,000 to support the school.
His public activities also show an interest in traditional cooperation, youth development, religious activities and community self-help. He has worked alongside district authorities, Members of Parliament, educational officials and other traditional leaders to advance development in his area.
