Royal Order of the Golden Fire Dog
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CONSTITUTION of the
ROYAL ORDER OF THE GOLDEN FIRE DOG
The Royal Order of the Asafo of Sefwi Obeng-Mim was Constituted in May 2019.
Constitution amended 2 November 2020, 19 June 2021, 3 June 2022, 31 March 2024.
Oheneba Nana Kwame Obeng II, Head of the Royal House and Chief of Sefwi Obeng-Mim,
Divisional Chief Sefwi Wiawso Traditional Area, Western North, Republic of Ghana.
ROYAL DECREE
WHEREAS, the Chieftaincy Institution in Ghana is a system that structures and regulates the activity of local chieftains (ruling monarchs, princes, and aristocracy) in the Ghanaian society and state. The Chieftaincy Institution of Ghana is enshrined in the Republic’s Constitution (chapter 270-277) and the Chieftaincy Act of 2008. Those who hold the sacred title of “Chief” in Ghana are sovereign rulers in their traditional areas; and
WHEREAS, H.R.H. Oheneba Nana Kwame Obeng II, known in his private life as Mr. Ofosuhene Dacosta, was enstooled and outdoored as the Chief of Sefwi Obeng-Mim within the Sefwi Wiawso Traditional Area of the Western North Region of Ghana, West Africa, on 3 June 2016. Nana is recognized by the Sefwi Wiawso Traditional Council as the rightful elected and enstooled chief of the area by the Elders and Kingmakers and registered with the National House of Chiefs; and
WHEREAS, the Paramount Chief of the Sefwi Wiawaso Tradition Area and President of the Sefwi Wiawso Traditional Council is H.M. Katakyie Kwasi Bumagama II, father of H.R.H. Oheneba Nana Kwame Obeng II, in recognition of Nana Obeng II’s leadership, elevated H.R.H. Oheneba Nana Kwame Obeng II as a Divisional Chief on 16 July 2017; and
WHEREAS, The Chieftaincy Act 2008 (Act No. 759) makes provisions for local government in Ghana, promoting, conservating, and developing customary law. Under customary law, the Traditional Area Elders and Kingmakers have the authority to “nominate, elect or select and enstool, enskin or install a chief or queen mother.” There shall be a National House of Chiefs, which shall be instrumental in the development
and conservation of law relative to chieftaincy and customary law; and
WHEREAS, The President of the National House of Chiefs, the Agbogbomefia of the Ho Asogli State, Togbe Afede XIV, said one of the objectives of his administration would be to restore the nobility and reverence of the chieftaincy institution to enable it to effectively play its roles in society as expected; and
WHEREAS, H.R.H. Oheneba Nana Kwame Obeng II, Nana of the Royal House of Sefwi Obeng-Mim, desires to confer honors in the form of a traditional Asafo, or Royal army with orders or regiments, in accordance with the customary law and by following the direction of The President of the National House of Chiefs to restore the nobility; and
WHEREAS, H.R.H. Oheneba Nana Kwame Obeng II (“His Royal Highness”) has been an innovator and created a network of supporters for the stool lands in Ghana and around the world, forming a Royal House, and by his rightful fount of honor as a Chief elected and enstooled under traditional customs; and
WHEREAS, the Paramount Chief of the Sefwi Wiawaso Tradition Area and President of the Sefwi Wiawso Traditional Council, the H.M. the Omanhene Katakyie Kwasi Bumagama II, has approved of the formation of this traditional international Asafo under the leadership of the Tufohene, H.R.H. Oheneba Nana Kwame Obeng II, and is the paramount sovereign of the Asafo;
WHEREAS, on the 7th of March 2024, the Republic of Ghana’s Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs confirmed the right of H.R.H. Obeng II to bestow traditional and customary titles as permitted by the Omanhene; and
WHEREAS, on 21st of June 2024, the National House of Chiefs confirmed and gazetted in the Republic’s national records the elevation of the Sefwi Obeng-Mim stool to that of a Divisional Chief in perpetuity.
HEREBY constituted the following regiment or royal order of the international Asafo of the Royal House of Sefwi Obeng-Mim.
PREAMBLE
Foundation for the Royal Order of the Golden Fire Dog
The Aduana people are believed to have been led out of the ground by a dog that had fire in his mouth. Hence, they are referred to as Ogyaasefuo. It is also believed that the first Aduana had a dog that once was out to search for food, and on seeing fire, the dog thought there was something to eat for him and got his mouth seriously burnt. When the owner saw it coming with the fire he then said, “m'atwea woabre me adie” meaning “my dog you have brought me something worthy.”
The Royal Order of the Golden Fire Dog (ROGFD) is constituted and inaugurated under the auspices of the Royal House and Local Council of Sefwi Obeng-Mim and the Chieftaincy of His Royal Highness Oheneba Nana Kwame Obeng II to promote the ancient code of the military protectors, an Asafo, of the ancient Akan Kingdom. This tradition dates to time immemorial, with the Asafo being in service to the Royal House of Sefwi Obeng-Mim. Keeping the spirit of the traditional Asafo of the Akan, this Order or Regiment of Warriors respectfully emulates a more known system of codifying the chivalric rankings carried with our noble and sacred Order.
The international members of this Royal Order are dedicated to developing the Stool Lands under the care of the Royal House. Acceptance into the Order is based on the assessment of the human values and quality of character of the applicant, without distinction or discrimination based on religious, social class, race, political tendencies, physical disability, or sexual orientation. Advancement in rank is based on merit.
Each Akan Kofo, or Warrior (plural being Akofo, or Warriors), who is admitted to the Asafo of the Royal House should be aware that he/she is part of a noble military institution representing the Royal House of Sefwi Obeng-Mim, is recognized as noble members under traditional customs of Sefwi Obeng-Mim and the Royal House, and consequently should be prepared to accept and to practice a Code of Honor, such as provided in this Constitution. His Royal Highness, by his right and prerogative, as well as on recommendation by the Royal House, the Grand Council of the Order, and primarily by the Local Council of Sefwi Obeng-Mim, may remove titles, nobility, or any other honors bestowed.
ARTICLE I
Name of the Asafo or Royal Order
The name of the Order is the Royal Order of the Golden Fire Dog (ROGFD).
ARTICLE II
Fount of Honor
The fount of honor is His Royal Highness Oheneba Nana Kwame Obeng ll, of an ancient Akan Kingdom. He was nominated, elected, and enstooled by the Elders and Kingmakers of Sefwi Obeng-Mim Stool Land and recognized by the National House of Chiefs of the Republic of Ghana.
ARTICLE III
Order Defined
The Order of the Royal Asafo of Sefwi Obeng-Mim is defined as a noble, chivalric, and international community and organization. The principal objectives are Charity and the Defense of the Royal House of Sefwi Obeng-Mim, the peoples of the Stool Land, and those of its soil in the diaspora. The Royal Order upholds the ideals of a free world and the rights of people as defined in the Universal Declaration of the United Nations. The community is made up of individuals who are distinguished by their origin, education, upbringing, capacities, and worthy deeds. While taking an established and indispensable hierarchy into account, the Royal Order adopts the principle of social equality of all its members.
ARTICLE IV
The Guiding Principles for Akofo of the Royal Order
Section 1: The Code of Honor
A fledgling Kofo joining the Order indicates a wish to further the noble code of an Akan warrior. The following principles are presented here as a guide to Akofo and are based on the high noble warrior standards of old.
- Should be charitable and comfort those who are afflicted.
- Will serve faithfully and defend the rights and welfare of Sefwi Obeng-Mim, and all people around the world, courageously.
- Will forgive the follies and offense of others and sincerely embrace the love of friends.
- Will esteem truth and will never create nor participate in falsehoods.
- Needs to avoid sloth and superfluous ease. He/she will spend his/her time in the pursuit of ever virtuous action.
- Shows reverence to dignitaries and persons in authority and gives honor to those in authority.
- Will eschew riot and detest intemperance in any form, whether in his/her personal life or in the eye of the public.
- Will eschew dishonest pleasures and endeavor to do good to others.
- Will accommodate himself/herself to the humor of honest company.
- Will shun the conversation of perverse persons and behave in a modest way at all times.
- Will be sober and discreet, no boaster of his/her own acts, and not be a speaker of himself/herself.
- Will desire no excessive riches and patiently endure all worldly calamities.
- Will undertake just enterprise and defend the rights of others.
- Will support the oppressed. He/she will do everything in his/her power to provide help and succor to any who are afflicted in any way.
- Will prefer honor before worldly wealth and be just and faithful in both word and deed.
ARTICLE V
Motto of the Order
“M'atwea Woabre Me Adie”, meaning, “My dog you have brought me something worthy”. A kindred phraseology, “Omnia Honore Condigno”, meaning, “Do all things with honor and worthiness”.
ARTICLE VI
The Order's Coat of Arms
Escutcheon: On a circular shield Or, a dog, queued, statant and sinister, Brunâtre, toothed Argent and langued Gules, mouth open and flames issuant Proper, surmounting an ornate asesedwa, Sanguine and surcharged with a pair of akrafena, blades to chief in saltire, Sable.
Supporters: Behind the shield two spears in saltire Proper, headed Argent.
ARTICLE VII
Seat of the Order
The seat of the Order is the Royal House is Sefwi Obeng-Mim, under the Wiawso Traditional Area, Western North Region of the Republic of Ghana; with Magistral and Administrative Seats as decreed by the Tufohene.
ARTICLE VIII
Governance
Section 1: The Tufohene or Grand Master
The Tufohene or Grand Master is the Chief of Sefwi Obeng-Mim and Tufohene (Warlord) of the Asafo. When the Chief is enstooled and outdoored, he becomes enstooled as Tufohene of this Order. He shall serve for life or until he retires.
If he is unable to serve as Tufohene because of incapacity, the Sefwi Obeng-Mim Local Council and Officers of the Asafo may decide to elect a Regent until the Tufohene may reassume duties or his successor is enstooled.
The Tufohene shall appoint all members of the Order’s bodies under this Constitution. His approval is required for the appointment of all officers of the Order named in the Constitution and the Rules and Regulations. He is the sole authority for creating a Kofo and bestowing noble dignity. No member shall be admitted into the Order against the objection of the Tufohene. All members appointed to any office or dignity within the Order shall serve at the pleasure of the Tufohene.
No officer of this regiment or any other regiment of the international Asafo under this Royal House may be an officer of any other Ghanaian Royal House. A Kofo only has one Tufohene and Paramount Chief under which they serve.
Section 2: The Grand Council
The Grand Council is composed of executive officers who oversee the daily governance of the Order. Members ordinarily hold the rank of at least Grand Officer (the Tufohene has the full right to make exceptions).
The Grand Council shall consist of the following dignitaries of the Order:
Tufohene – The enstooled Chief of Sefwi Obeng-Mim.
Nkosuohene/hemaa (Chief of Development) and Obahemaa (Queen Mother of Development) – The highest honor that may bestowed to non-Ghanaian and independent of the Royal Orders is the Crown of Honor as a Chief or Queen Mother of Development. The bearers occupy a throne (a traditional stool or seat of power) and a traditional royal crown. The Chief and the Queen Mother’s responsibility is to contribute to the development projects in the communities under the Stool Land and, with the Tufohene, represent the Sefwi Obeng-Mim Local Council.
Adontehene (Grand Chancellor) - The Adontehene is appointed chief by the Tufohene. The Adontehene assists the Tufohene as an ad-hoc secretary of state, managing the Chancellery of all foreign affairs and diplomatic missions of the Order and representing the Grand Council to all official or strategic third parties. The Adontehene also organizes and mobilizes various offices and agencies of the Chancellery, according to the directives of the Tufohene, and is chief administrator of all of the Royal Orders, including being the heraldic Chief of Arms.
Nkyidomhene (Deputy Grand Chancellor) — The Nkyidomhene serves as an appointed chief by the Tufohene. The Nkyidomhene is the secretary general for internal administration and coordination of the Grand Council, presenting subjects for consideration, and providing records of meetings and decisions. The Nkyidomhene also assists with administrating all Royal Orders and the work of the Chancellery.
Asafohene General—The Asafohene General is the first among equals of the appointed Asafohene who oversee the member associations of the Order in specific regions. The Asafohene General assists the Grand Council in fulfilling the chivalric missions of the Order, supervises Grand Priories, Commanderies, and Akofo in their appointed region, and reports to the Grand Council on the state and life of the Order.
Afotuohene (Grand Justiciar)—The Afotuohene is an arbitrator, lawyer, or mediator of academic scholarship, thereby serving as an in-house adviser in those areas. The Afotuohene is an appointed chief who oversees the mediation and arbitration process for internal complaints or disputes and the disciplinary process of members under the Rules and Regulations.
The aforementioned dignitaries of the Order shall be drawn from diverse national jurisdictions.
Other offices may be created by the Tufohene and established in the Rules and Regulations of the Order.
The Tufohene, through the Chancellery, shall issue all decrees, rules, regulations, letters patent, and brevets of the order.
The Grand Council Meeting shall comprise all members of the Magistracy in good standing.
The Grand Council Meeting shall convene as summoned by the Adontehene on the order of the Tufohene.
Section 3: The Chancellery
The Chancellery is the Chancellery of all Royal Orders and is composed of the Adontehen, Nkyiodmhene, and any required offices, agencies, commissions, or committees in order to fulfill the duties assigned to the Adontehen and Nkyiodmhene.
ARTICLE IX
Associations of the Order
Section1: Regional Asafo
The Regional Asafo is the regional level of the Order led by a Kofo holding at least the rank of Grand Officer, appointed by the Tufohene as the Asafohene, or Chief of the Asafo, in that particular region.
The Regional Asafo is organized like the Grand Council, with a Regional Asafo Council and officers like the Magistracy.
Grand Priories are created by the Tufohene, who also appoints the Asafohene to organize and administer the Order's association in the given region.
All Akofo will be appointed to a Regional Asafo for the association.
Section 2: Commanderies
A Commandery is a basic sustaining organization at the local level. The Commander, a Kofo holding at least the rank of Commander, is the leader of the Commandery. The Asafohene establishes a commandery, and the first Commander is appointed by the Asafohene under the advisement of the Regional Asafo Council.
After establishment, the Commandery Council elects a commander under its own Rules and Regulations, subject to the approval of the Asafohene, who guides the activities of the Order's commandery.
The Commander is, in turn, assisted by several officers, whose duties and functions are similar to those of the Grand Council.
A Regional Asafo may assign Akofo to a particular commandery under its association’s Rules and Regulations.
Section 5: Transfers
A Kofo within the Order may belong to only one Regional Asafo and one Commandry. Transfer between Grand Priories is possible; however, the applicant must have permission to gain and lose Asafohene. The process must be initiated by the Kofo who desires to transfer. Transferring from one Commandry to another is under the Rules and Regulations of each Regional Asafo.
ARTICLE X
Members of the Order
Section 1: Admission Protocols
Those who receive the accolade of Kofo of the Royal House’s Asafo. From Twi, Kofo may be translated into English as “noble warrior.” In the Akan tradition, both men and women may be of the noble warrior class.
A person requesting admission to the Order and to be invested as a Kofo should be aware that he/she will become a part of a dynastic chivalric institution representing the Royal House of Sefwi Obeng-Mim and be recognized as a noble member of the Royal House under the traditional customs of the Sefwi Obeng-Mim council.
Section 2: Qualifications
Acceptance into the Order is based on the assessment of the applicant's human values and quality of character, without distinction or discrimination based on religious, social class, race, political tendencies, physical disability, or sexual orientation.
I. The following are among the desired qualifications for membership in the Order:
- To be at least 18 years of age for the rank of Member and 21 years or older for the rank of Kofo and higher ranks.[1]
- To be a stable person holding a dignified and steady employment.
- To be morally and socially well-considered.
- To be practitioners of any learned profession or Armed Forces members.
- To be retired persons or veterans of military service.
- To be socially and professionally considered capable, just, honest, compassionate, and courageous.
- To be persons willing and having the economic capacity to pledge, meeting successfully at least the minimum amount of contribution.
II. The following are impediments to attaining membership
- To be employed or follow professions or lifestyles that could be viewed as dishonorable by generally accepted standards.
- These are automatic disqualification criteria for candidates who intend to use, mislead, or misrepresent Falsified or faux royal, aristocratic, or nobility titles; falsified or faux awards, honors, orders, etc.; and falsified or faux academic titles and degrees.
Section 3: The Process of Nomination, Honorarium Passage Fees, and Annual Membership Dues
Any member of the Royal Order may submit a petition for membership for any individual who meets the nomination criteria. The Nominee must be a member in good standing of the Royal Order of the Golden Fire Dog of the Royal House of Sefwi Obeng-Mim.
The Petitioner completes a Petition in accordance with the Grand Council’s Rules and Regulations. If the Tufohene approves the Petition, the Chancellery shall discuss the Honorarium Passage Fee with the Petitioner and the incoming rank.
Honorarium Passage Fees are subject to annual revision based upon the recommendation of the Grand Council in accordance with the Constitution of the Royal Order. This fee supports the Order projects that benefit Sefwi Obeng-Mim. In extraordinary cases of need, the Tufohene may waive the fee payment.
Advancement within the Royal Order is based upon merit and the individual’s activities within the Order, not through monetary donation; it is contingent only upon the recommendation of a regional Grand Officer of a Regional Asafo, the Adontehene, the Grand Council, and the Royal House of Sefwi Obeng-Mim.
Annual membership dues are under the jurisdiction of each Regional Asafo.
Grand Collar Akofo of this Royal Order shall make a thanksgiving offering annually (aseda) on the anniversary of the enstoolment of Chief Oheneba Nana Kwame Obeng II. The minimum suggested donation will be set by the Tufohene and communicated to all members by the Adontehene.
Section 4: The Ranks of the Royal Order
In order of ascension:
Kofo, Royal Order of the Golden Fire Dog (KG);
Kofo, Commander of the Royal Order of the Golden Fire Dog (KCG);
Kofo, Grand Officer of the Royal Order of the Golden Fire Dog (KGOG); and
Kofo, Grand Cross of the Royal Order of the Golden Fire Dog (KGCG).
Kofo, Grand Collar of the Royal Order of the Golden Fire Dog (GCG)
Section 5: Style, Title, and Address of the Kofo
This Order confers nobility upon the member. Each member bears the traditional title, Kofo or “Warrior.”
Title and honor shall be issued by Letters Patent. Rank shall be assigned by a Brevet, which is issued by the Tufohene through the Chancellery.
The title and honor are not inheritable.
All ROGFD members are entitled to the style of “His/Her Excellency” with the appropriate postnominals. Therefore, for instance, the full style, title, and name of a holder of the Grand Cross is “His/Her Excellency (H.E.) Kofo First Name Middle Name Second Middle Name [if any] Surname, KGCG.”
If the letter patent or Brevet for a particular recipient contains a style, title, and address different from the above, it will triumph only for that recipient.
There is no courtesy title for the lawful spouse or children of a member of the Order. However, the lawful spouse of a member of the Order is noble for as long as the spouse is married to the member or is the widow/widower of the same. Yet, the children of the members are not noble.
At request, titles may be granted as “honorary” and issued as such in Letters Patent.
Section 6: Degradation
His Royal Highness, the Tufohene, may remove a member or any other honors bestowed by his own right and prerogative, as well as on recommendation by the Royal House, Grand Council, Grand Priories, and specifically the Sefwi Obeng-Mim Local Council.
ARTICLE XI
Renunciation of Title
A Kofo may renounce the title and honor at any time and for any cause. The renunciation must be in writing and witnessed by two individuals unrelated to the current Kofo. Both witnesses should sign and date the renunciation along with the renouncing Kofo, and the document should be delivered to the Adontehene.
Article XII
Heraldic Privileges
By the right and privileges conferred through Letters Patent, the noble Akofo of the ROGFD has a Royal Warrant to use heraldic devices related to this Order and the Royal House. The Chancellery will provide a heraldry guide.
As the custom of other Royal Houses worldwide, a member shall submit a copy of their arms to the Adontehene, as Chief of Arms, for review if the Kofo seeks to adopt the Royal House and Orders particular heraldry devices. With Adontehene’s approval, the achievement will be registered on the Royal House’s Roll of Arms, which may be published and made public.
With the Kofo’s achievement recorded by the Adontehene, they may register their arms with the Heraldry Society of Africa, the International Armorial Registry, or other registries.
ARTICLE XIII
Uniforms and Insignia
Section 1: Uniforms and Insignia
The uniform, insignia, and armorial bearings of the Order shall be as prescribed by the Tufohene. It shall be promulgated in the Rules and Regulations of the Order, making allowance for the traditions of regions and national jurisdictions.
The insignia of the Royal Order shall be a medal designed to be worn as full or miniature by the Tufohene and holders of the honor. The full or miniature medal shall be worn by members where the wearer is representing the Royal House or the Order or meetings at which similar decorations are worn. The full-sized medal must be worn in business attire on the left pocket. Ladies may wear the medal fastened to the left side of their attire at a convenient location. Members attired in military uniform should wear the medal in accordance with the requirements of the service or branch in which they are serving. Full-sized medals are not worn with civilian evening dress. The miniature of the medal should be worn on the left lapel, in accordance with standard rules of dress, either alone or with other miniatures, mounted on a bar or another holder. Ordinarily, miniatures are worn only with formal and semi-formal attire (i.e., white tie and black tie).
Section 2: Awards
A system of awards for acts of valor, distinguished service, or periods of outstanding service existed in the military forces of many ancient peoples. The Tufohene recognized the need for an appropriate awards system apart from promotions. The Tufohene may create and bestow awards and honors to Akofo of the Order for various achievements or to memorialize events. These awards honor members of the Order, and in certain instances, non-members, for single acts of valor, distinguished or meritorious service, or long and faithful service to the Order. The Chancellery shall be the stewards of the system of awards.
Each Regional Asafo may create a system of awards under its own Rules and Regulations if the awards are consistent with the nature and purpose of this Order.
ARTICLE XIV
Validity of Acts
Section 1: Chapter General
Every act of the Chapter General shall be valid when it has been affirmatively approved by a majority of the members present.
Section 2: Grand Council
Every act of the Grand Council is valid when it is approved by a majority of those present.
Section 3: Proxy Voting
Voting by proxy shall not be permitted at any meeting.
Section 4: Electronic Meetings
Members of the various councils of governance named in this Constitution may participate in meetings of those governing councils through electronic communications, videoconferencing, teleconferencing, or other available technology which allows the members to communicate simultaneously or sequentially. Participation in a meeting under this subsection constitutes presence in person at the meeting. Each Council of Governance shall create a policy for such meetings to ensure every participant can be part of deliberations and exercise their voice and vote.
ARTICLE XV
Amendments to the Constitution
The Order's Constitution may be amended at the Tufohene’s will. If amended, the Constitution shall be published and distributed to all members of the Order, at which time the amendments come into effect. The Amended Constitution shall be posted and distributed by the 4th Sunday of November at the latest.
ARTICLE XVI
Rule and Regulations of the Order
The Tufohene may promulgate such Rules and Regulations that are not inconsistent with any provisions of this Constitution as may be necessary or desirable for the government of the Order.