For 15 years, Nana Okoegye has served as the Chief of Chinderi, contributing to community development through education, infrastructure, agriculture, youth empowerment, support for widows and orphans, healthcare, market development, and peacebuilding.
During my time on the throne, I have undertaken and supported a number of initiatives aimed at improving education, healthcare, agriculture, infrastructure, youth development, market activities and the general wellbeing of the people.
Below are some of the major achievements and contributions made during my tenure:
EDUCATION AND STUDENT SUPPORT
- Built four (4) washrooms for four schools to improve sanitation facilities for students and teachers.
- Donated building materials to some schools in the community.
- Purchased award items for deserving students in the non-Gallop Basic Schools during their reading competition.
- Donated 30 mathematical sets to needy students in Chinderi.
- Donated books to R/C Primary School.
- Donated 200 books to the Girls Model School.
- Paid GH¢2,200 towards the education of some needy but brilliant private-school students in the Chinderi community.
- Supported poor and needy students with cash whenever they called on me for assistance.
- Awarded the Best Teacher for 2022.
- Organized a quiz competition for Chinderi Circuit A on 14th June 2023 and awarded the participating schools and contestants.
MARKET DEVELOPMENT
One of the major projects undertaken during my tenure was the establishment and development of the Chinderi Market.
The project involved several stages, including consultations with opinion leaders, publicity, inauguration attempts, grading and stumping, installation of streetlights, construction of a urinal, communication facilities, electrical works and other activities.
According to the records provided, the documented expenditure on the market between 2018 and 2023 amounted to GH¢74,260.
The market was eventually handed over to the KND Assembly on 11th July 2023.
I also provided accommodation facilities by setting aside five (5) bedrooms for marketers to use as free lodging, with the aim of making market activities more convenient for traders.
In addition, I built three (3) bedrooms for an investor who would establish a radio or television station in Chinderi, with the facility intended to be provided free of charge for three years.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
I successfully organized 49 communal labour exercises within the community to support development activities.
I also:
- Extended electricity to the Chinderi Market.
- Built three (3) bedrooms for the Chinderi community at Bejamse.
- Constructed a mechanized borehole to support dry-season irrigation for widows in the community.
- Awarded a building plot to a health personnel in Chinderi in recognition of her hard work.
- Donated 17 reading glasses to people with eye problems in Chinderi.
- Donated 200 tubers of yam to the Ghana Police Service, Chinderi.
- Donated agro-inputs to widows in both near and far communities.
SUPPORT FOR WIDOWS, ORPHANS AND THE NEEDY
Supporting vulnerable people has also been an important part of my service.
I regularly donate foodstuffs to widows and orphans in the community. I have also provided financial assistance to poor and needy individuals, particularly students, whenever they sought support.
The mechanized borehole established for dry-season irrigation was also intended to help widows engage in agricultural activities and improve their livelihoods.
YOUTH AND AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT
Recognizing agriculture as an important source of employment and income for young people, I encouraged and assisted 50 young people to venture into agriculture as a business.
I also donated agro-inputs to widows in communities around Chinderi as part of efforts to promote farming and economic empowerment.
PEACE AND TRADITIONAL LEADERSHIP
As Chief, I have also played a role in settling disputes within the community.
I have intervened in disputes involving individuals, families, churches and other community members with the aim of promoting peace, understanding and unity.
SUPPORT FOR HEALTHCARE
As part of my contribution to healthcare and community welfare, I awarded a building plot to a health personnel in Chinderi in recognition of her dedication and hard work.
I also donated reading glasses to residents experiencing eye problems.
SUPPORT TO THE GHANA POLICE SERVICE
I donated 200 tubers of yam to the Ghana Police Service in Chinderi as part of my support for the men and women serving the community.
FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY TO THE CHINDERI STOOL
Another major responsibility undertaken during my years on the throne was the settlement of debts and expenses associated with Chinderi under the Bejamse Stool.
According to the records provided, these included Toora Asunke expenses, Traditional Council contributions, funeral expenses, court contributions and palace contributions, among others.
The records indicate that these obligations were paid from proceeds generated through the sale of lands during the period of my 16 years on the throne.
CHINDERI MARKET EXPENDITURE
Records provided on expenditure related to the establishment and development of the Chinderi Market include:
| Date/Activity | Amount |
|---|---|
| Meeting with opinion leaders, fuel and related expenses | GH¢5,500 |
| Water, porridge, bread and weedicides | GH¢3,950 |
| Radio, TV and information-centre advertisements | GH¢2,940 |
| First attempt to inaugurate the market | GH¢1,520 |
| Second attempt to inaugurate the market | GH¢3,550 |
| Third attempt to inaugurate the market | GH¢3,750 |
| Spiritual matters | GH¢4,760 |
| Inauguration | GH¢8,900 |
| Grading and stumping | GH¢7,650 |
| Four streetlights | GH¢2,600 |
| Urinal | GH¢5,530 |
| Communication implements | GH¢3,330 |
| Advertisements | GH¢3,660 |
| Spiritual matters | GH¢3,995 |
| Streetlight bulbs | GH¢3,575 |
| Repair of communication instruments/gadgets | GH¢5,300 |
| Electrical wires | GH¢1,800 |
| Street bulbs | GH¢1,950 |
| TOTAL | GH¢74,260 |
SPIRITUAL EXPENDITURE ON THE MARKET
According to the records provided, additional expenditure was incurred for what was described as spiritual defence of the market.
Between July and August 2023, GH¢70,000 was reportedly spent.
A further GH¢1,100 was reportedly spent between 3rd August and 27th November 2023, followed by GH¢9,000 between 10th December 2023 and 25th February 2024.
The records therefore state a total of GH¢17,100 for the latter periods. However, because the stated July–August figure of GH¢70,000 is separate, the figures should be independently reconciled before publication as a complete financial total.
REVIVING THE MARKET IN 2025
In July 2025, when the market faced challenges and required revival efforts, additional resources were reportedly invested.
The items listed included:
- 2 sheep – GH¢3,800
- 4 goats – GH¢4,600
- Transportation and related charges from Benin – GH¢12,600
Total stated expenditure: GH¢21,000.
TOURISM AND INVESTMENT
I have also initiated a series of projects aimed at helping transform the Nchumuru District into a tourist destination and an investment hub.
The vision is to create opportunities that can attract investors, promote the district and contribute to economic development.
A LEGACY OF SERVICE
After 15 years of service as Chinderi Chief, the achievements outlined above reflect a commitment to community development, education, agriculture, youth empowerment, social support, infrastructure and traditional leadership.
From supporting schools and students to assisting widows and orphans, organizing communal labour, developing the Chinderi Market, supporting young farmers and contributing to healthcare and community welfare, the objective has been to use traditional leadership as a platform for development.
The journey has involved financial commitments, community mobilization and personal sacrifices. The projects and initiatives undertaken are intended to create lasting benefits for the people of Chinderi and contribute to the broader development of the Nchumuru District.
The ultimate goal remains simple: to serve the people, promote development, support the vulnerable and create opportunities for future generations.
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