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.M. 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.M. Oheneba Nana Kwame Obeng II, in recognition of Nana Obeng II’s leadership, elevated H.M. Oheneba Nana Kwame Obeng II as a Divisional Chief on 16 July 2017; and
WHEREAS, The Chieftaincy Act 2008 (Act No. 759) makes provision for local government in Ghana, the promotion, conservation, and development of 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.M. 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 Order, 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.M. Oheneba Nana Kwame Obeng II (“His Majesty”) 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, hereby created the Royal Order of the Golden Fire Dog.
The Aduana people are believed to have been led out of the ground by a dog which 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 in doing so 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 FOUNT OF HONOR will bestow this award upon distinguished individuals for their selfless support.
Noblesse Oblige
The following information has been prepared for those interested in entering into the sacred halls of the Royal Order of the Golden Fire Dog and the possibility of being invited into its ranks.
Introduction
The Aduana people are believed to have been led out of the ground by a dog which 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 in doing so 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 Traditional Council of Sefwi Obeng-Mim and the Chieftaincy of His Majesty Oheneba Nana Kwame Obeng II, in order to promote the ancient code of the military protectors, Asafo, of the ancient Akan Kingdom. This tradition dates back to time immemorial and 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 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 the development of 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 Knight or Dame admitted should be aware that he/she is part of a chivalric institution representing the Royal House of Sefwi Obeng-Mim, are recognized as noble members under traditional customs of Sefwi Obeng-Mim Traditional Council and the Royal House, and consequently should be prepared to accept and to practice a Chivalric Code of Honor, such as provided in this Constitution. His Majesty, by his own right and prerogative, as well as on recommendation by the Royal House, the Grand Council of the Order, and primarily by the Traditional Council of Sefwi Obeng-Mim, may remove a title of nobility, knighthood, damehood, or any other honors bestowed.
Admission Protocol
A person requesting admission to the Order, and to be invested as a Knight or Dame should be aware that he/she intends to become a part of a Chivalric Institution representing the Royal House of Sefwi Obeng-Mim, are recognized as a noble member of the Royal House. Consequently, they should be prepared to accept and to practice a Chivalric Code of Honor as they serve the Royal House and the people of Sefwi Obeng-Mim.
Qualifications and Exclusions for Membership
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.
I. The following are among the desired qualifications for membership in the Order:
- To be at least 25 years of age.
- 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 members of the Armed Forces.
- To be retired persons or veterans of military service.
- To be persons considered socially and professionally as 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 for attaining membership
- To be employed or follow professions or the lifestyles that could be viewed as dishonorable by generally accepted standards.
- These are automatic disqualification criteria for candidates with intention to use, mislead, or misrepresent: Falsified or faux royal, aristocrats, or nobility titles; Falsified or faux awards, honors, orders, etc.; Falsified or faux academic titles and academic degrees.
The Process of Nomination, Honorarium Passage Fees, and Annual Membership Dues
A Petition for Membership may be submitted by any Member of the Royal Order for any individual who meets the nomination criteria. The Nominator must be a member in good standing of the Royal Order of the Golden Fire Dog of the Royal House of Sefwi Obeng-Mim.
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 is used to support the Works of the Order within the Grand Council and Royal House of Sefwi Obeng-Mim. In extraordinary cases of need, payment of additional fees may be waived at the discretion of the Grand Council. Advancement within The Royal Order is based upon merit and the individual's activities within the Order, not through monetary donation; contingent only upon the recommendation of the Grand Prior or Commander, the Grand Council and the Royal House of Sefwi Obeng-Mim.
Submission of Petition
The Nominator, together with the Petitioner, to complete the "Petition for Membership" and submit the following documentation to the Adontehene (Grand Chancellor):
- Curriculum Vitae (Biographical Sketch), and
- One passport size and type photograph, through the link below.
- An Honorarium of Passage fee has been set forth and shall be discussed with the petitioner according to the entrance so desired. This shall be payable as directed via the Grand Council and sent to after the Petition for Membership has been recommended by the Grand Council and provisionally approved by the Grand Master.
The ennobled Title and Ranks conferred upon men are as follows:
- Member, of the Royal Order of the Golden Fire Dog (MG)
- Knight, of the Royal Order of the Golden Fire Dog (KG)
- Knight, Commander of the Royal Order of the Golden Fire Dog (KCG)
- Knight, Grand Officer of the Royal Order of the Golden Fire Dog (KGOG)
- Knight, Grand Cross of the Royal Order of the Golden Fire Dog (KGCG)
- Knight, Grand Collar of the Royal Order of the Golden Fire Dog (GCG)
The ennobled Title and Ranks conferred upon women are as follows:
- Member, of the Royal Order of the Golden Fire Dog (MG)
- Dame, of the Royal Order of the Golden Fire Dog (DG)
- Dame, Commander, of the Royal Order of the Golden Fire Dog (DCG)
- Dame, Grand Officer. of the Royal Order of the Golden Fire Dog (DGOG)
- Dame, Grand Cross. of the Royal Order of the Golden Fire Dog (DGCG)
- Dame, Grand Collar, of the Royal Order of the Golden Fire Dog (GCG)
Guiding Principles for Knights and Dames
A fledgling Knight or Dame joining the Order indicates a wish to further the chivalric code of knighthood.
The following principles are presented here as a guide to Knights and Dames 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.
