President Mahama Eulogizes Late Agogomanhene Nana Akuoko Sarpong, Assures Befitting Funeral

President John Dramani Mahama has described the late Nana Kwame Akuoko Sarpong, Paramount Chief of Agogo, as a distinguished traditional ruler and statesman whose five-decade reign and public service left an indelible mark on Ghana's governance architecture.

The President made the remarks at the Presidency when a delegation from the Agogo Traditional Council, led by the Agogomanhemaa Nana Juaben Afrakoma Serwaa Kusi Oboadum, paid a courtesy call to formally invite him to the late chief's final funeral rites, known as Doti Yie, scheduled for November 24 to 26, 2026, at Agogo in the Ashanti Region.

A Life of Service

Nana Kwame Akuoko Sarpong, who died on March 26, 2026, at the age of 87, reigned for 51 years after his enstoolment in December 1975 at age 38. A lawyer by training, he was called to the Ghana Bar in October 1965 and served as a public prosecutor before entering public life.

His political career spanned multiple eras. He served as Member of Parliament for Asante Akyem North from 1979 to 1981 during the Third Republic and later held key ministerial positions under the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC), including Secretary for Health (1988–1991) and Secretary for the Interior (1991–1992). He also served as Secretary for Chieftaincy Affairs during the transition to civilian rule and was later a member of the Council of State under the late President John Evans Atta Mills.

President Mahama noted that the late chief played a crucial role in the formation of the ruling National Democratic Congress. "We and Nana are a family. This is because he played a key role during the PNDC era into the NDC," the President said. "The funeral is not only for you, but for us all. If someone serves his nation well, he deserves to be honoured".

Diplomatic and Educational Legacy

Beyond domestic governance, Nana Akuoko Sarpong scored a significant diplomatic victory as Acting Secretary of Foreign Affairs by helping restore bilateral relations between Ghana and the United States following the Soussoudis affair in the late 1980s. He was also credited with transforming Agogo into a center of learning, overseeing the establishment of educational institutions at various levels.

Traditional Council Expresses Gratitude

Agogomanhemaa Nana Juaben Afrakoma Serwaa Kusi Oboadum thanked the President for delegating Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang to attend the one-week observance of the chief's passing. She also expressed gratitude to the government for the ongoing construction of Agogo town roads and appealed for the work to be expedited to ensure completion before the burial.

The meeting was attended by Chief of Staff Dr. Julius Debrah and Presidential Advisor Joyce Bawah Mogtari.

Funeral Arrangements

The three-day funeral rites will be held at the Kyei and Krobo Stool Palace in Agogo, Asante Akim North District. The late Omanhene will lie in state from November 24 to 26. The Agogo Traditional Council has also formally invited former President John Agyekum Kufuor to the funeral.

Nana Akuoko Sarpong is survived by his wife and 15 children.