Mamponghene Daasebre Osei Bonsu
Daasebre Osei Bonsu, who until his death served as the Vice President of the Ashanti Regional House of Chiefs, was the esteemed occupant of the Silver Stool, a position of immense traditional significance in the Asante Kingdom.
His role placed him as the second-in-command in the Ashanti traditional hierarchy, often acting on behalf of the Asantehene in key matters of custom.
Daasebere Osei Bonsu, who was born on December 31, 1939, passed on at age 86 and reigned for 26 years.
Until his ascension to the throne, he was known as Oswald Gyimah-Kessie, a lawyer and an economist by profession who later served as Registrar of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.
Known for his diplomacy, and unwavering dedication, Daasebre Osei Bonsu’s legacy spans decades of service both to his people and to Ghana’s broader chieftaincy institution.
Daasebre Nana Osei Bonsu II also served as the regent of the Kingdom of Ashanti from February 25, 1999, to April 26, 1999.
Osei Bonsu II was educated at Prempeh College and at the University of Ghana, where he graduated in 1972 with a BA in economics, political science and modern history.
Osei Bonsu II became the registrar of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ashanti in 1991.
He was also the Chairman of the Energy Commission in 2005.
After his first degree, he worked at the Ghana Commercial Bank, Legon Branch, as an Assistant Accountant.
He was married to Janet Dorothy Owusu-Sechere, eldest child of the late JH Owusu-Sechere.
He entered the University of Ghana again in 1967 to do further studies, this time in law, graduating in 1970 with LLB (Hons).
He joined the Ghana Parliament in 1971 as an Assistant Clerk of the National Assembly (Speaker’s Office).
From Parliament, he continued his education at the University of Ghana, taking a professional training course for lawyers in 1972.
Later in the year, Nana Bonsu joined the administrative staff of the University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, as an Assistant Registrar.
In 1975, he did a Higher Education administrative course in Manchester (UK) and returned that same year to be promoted to Assistant Director, Academic and Student Affairs, a position he held till 1979.
He moved through Senior Assistant Registrar, Acting Deputy Registrar, Deputy Registrar, Acting Registrar and to become the Registrar in 1991.
In the law business, Nana Bonsu did his final part of the professional training course for lawyers in 1978, became a Barrister at Law/Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Ghana in 1980 and became a Senior Lawyer in 1987.
He was associated with several professional bodies, some of which are listed below;
Member, Ghana Bar Association
Member, Ghana Association of University Administrators
Member Rotary International
Honorary member, Kumasi Golf Club
Chairman, Youth Development Foundation, Kumasi
Honorary Legal Consultant/Solicitor, National Sports Council
Patron, Heart Foundation
Legal Consultant, Ashanti region Association of rural Bankers.
Nana Bonsu travelled to several countries across the globe for conferences and duty tours.
MRA/AE
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