Symbols meanings (clockwise)
- ADINKRAHENE: (Chieftain of Adinkra symbols) It’s the African symbol of power charisma and leadership.
- TAMFO BEBRE: (jealous enemy) symbol for Envy
- SANKOFA: (return and get it) symbol of importance of learning from the past
- FUNTUNFUNEFU-DENKYEMFUNEFU: (Siamese crocodile) It can be invoked to remind us of the usefulness of compromise and the uselessness of fighting.
- DWENNIMMEN: (ram’s horns) An Adinkra symbol for Strength with virtues of humility.
- GYE NYAME: (except for God) This is one of the Ghanaian traditional symbols honoring supremacy of Divine deity.
- PEMPAMSIE: (sew in readiness) The symbol of steadfastness and robustness
- WO NSA DA MU A: (If your hands are in the dish) The symbol of participatory government, democracy and pluralism.
- The RED color symbolizes the blood of our ancestors.
- The BLUE symbolizes the tears of our ancestors.
- By remembering our ancestors, we build on the traditions of the Sefwi Obeng-Mim.
The center symbol is 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'.
KNIGHT/DAME GRAND CROSS (KGCG/DGCG)
The decoration hangs from a ribbon. This is tied as a sash, which is worn from the right shoulder to the left hip.
The star, consisting of the decoration symbols important to African culture, is attached to an eight-pointed slightly rounded golden star consisting of braided silver and golden rays. The rays of the star are alternately braided and all tied at the ends.
The star is worn directly above the waist on the left-hand side of the clothing. The star and the medal described above are always worn together.
KNIGHT/DAME GRAND OFFICER (KGOG/DGOG)
The decoration hangs from a neck ribbon.
The star, consisting of the decoration symbols important to African culture, is attached to an eight-pointed slightly rounded golden star consisting of braided silver and golden rays. The rays of the star are alternately braided and all tied at the ends.
The star is worn directly above the waist on the left-hand side of the clothing. The star and the medal described above are always worn together.
KNIGHT/DAME COMMANDER (KCG/DCG)
The decoration hangs from a ribbon. This ribbon is smaller in diameter than the ribbon of a Grand Cross.
The star consists of a slightly larger decoration, which is worn directly above the middle on the left-hand side of the clothing. The star and the decoration described above are always worn together.
KNIGHT/DAME (KG/DG)
The decoration hangs from the ribbon that is worn at chest height on the left-hand side of the clothing. The ribbon for women is tied in the shape of a bow.
The miniature is tied in the shape of a bow.
The FOUNT OF HONOR will be bestow this award upon distinguished individuals for their selfless support.
Noblesse Oblige
The following information has been prepared for those interested in entrance into the sacred halls of the Royal Order of the Golden Fire Dog and the possibility of being invited into its ranks.
Introduction
The Royal Order of the Golden Fire Dog was constituted and inaugurated under the auspices of the Royal House of Sefwi Obeng-Mim, in order to promote the ancient code of the military protectors, "Adontehene" (one who goes in front of the army), of an ancient Akan Kingdom dating back to time immemorial; being in service to the Royal House of Sefwi Obeng-Mim.
As the ranks carried garnered traditional respect, they yet had only the time-honored Akan naming. It is due to this fact, we respectfully emulate a more known system of codifying the chivalric rankings carried with our noble and sacred Order.
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, and consequently should be prepared to accept and to practice a Chivalric Code of Honor.
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:
- False or fake aristocrats,
- False or fake titles of nobility,
- False or fake awards / honors / orders, etc.
- False or fake academic title,
- Degree Mills, etc.
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 Prior, 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:
- Curriculum Vitae (Biographical Sketch),
- One passport size and type photograph,
- 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 together with the Petition for Membership to the Grand Chancellor
The Grades conferred upon men are as follows:
- Member, Royal Order of the Golden Fire Dog (MG)
- Knight, Royal Order of the Golden Fire Dog (KG)
- Knight Commander. Knight Commander, Order of the Golden Fire Dog (KCG)
- Knight Grand Officer. Knight, Grand Officer, Order of the Golden Fire Dog (KGOG)
- Knight Grand Gross. Knight, Grand Cross, Order of the Golden Fire Dog (KGCG)
The Grades conferred upon women are as follows:
- Member, Order of the Golden Fire Dog (MG)
- Dame, Order of the Golden Fire Dog (DG)
- Dame Commander. Dame Commander, Order of the Golden Fire Dog (DCG)
- Dame Grand Officer. Dame Grand Officer, Order of the Golden Fire Dog (DGOG)
- Dame Grand Cross. Dame Grand Cross, Order of the Golden Fire Dog (DGCG)
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 the new Knight or Dame and are based on the high standards that the knights of old strove to uphold.
These principles should guide the Sir Knights and Ladies in all of daily life and as members of the Order.
- Should be charitable and comfort those who are afflicted.
- Will serve faithfully and defend his Grand Master and the Royal House of Sefwi Obeng-Mim 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.
