Nana Agyemang Duah Katakyie III (Bismark Kyei Baffour; born 5 January 1992) is the Divisional Chief and ruling King of New Sawereso-Seinuah. He is a member of the of the Aduana Clan, which subscribes to the matrilineal line for royal inheritance. The Aduana Clan is one of the seven major Akan clans of Ghana and the largest clan in terms of population, the clan's totem being the fire dog (Twi: kraman a' egy tua n'ano).[2]
Education
Duah III attended the Cambridge College of Education, in Kumasi, Ghana, obtaining a Diploma in Basic Education (DBE). He received a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences (Geography) from the University of Cape Coast, in Cape Coast, Ghana.
Reign
Duah III acceded to the stool[3] of New Sawereso-Seinuah on 16 January 2020.[4] He is the fifth ruler of New Sawereso-Seinuah since the establishment of the kingdom in the late 1940s.
Titles and styles
As sovereign ruler of the traditional Kingdom of New Sawereso-Seinuah, Duah III is styled as "His Majesty". He is also sovereign of four Orders, viz.: Royal Order of the Cross of New Saweereso-Seinuah; Royal Order of Agyemang III; Royal Order of the Majestic Sun; and Royal Order of the Tiger and Hawk. Within these Orders, Duah III is styled "Grand Master". Duah III also holds title and office as President of the Katakyie Agyemang Duah III Nonprofit Foundation.
Honours
Duah III enjoys formal friendship agreements with reigning sovereigns of other sub-national kingdoms in Ghana and around the world. Through these friendships, he has received a number of honours, including:
- Grand Collar, Royal Order of the Crown of Mangkualaman, granted by H.M. King Mangku Alam II of the Kingdom of Mangkualaman, Indonesia;
- Royal Companion of the Sonaf Bakunase Kraton Kupang, granted by H.R.H. Don Leopold Nicolaas Isu Nisnoni, Raja of Kupang and Liurai of Sonbai Kecil, Indonesia;
- Grand Collar, Royal Order of Kwakyen Ababio, granted by H.R.H. Nana Kojo Kurentsir X of Abura Papagya, Ghana;
- Knight Grand Cross with Collar, Royal Order of the Eagle of Badougbe Adjome, granted by H.R.H. Togbe Têtê Gagnon Dumashie III of Badougbe Adjome, Toto;
- Grand Cross, Royal Order of the Golden Leopard, granted by H.R.H. Nana Òkofrobòúr Asumaning Ababio II of Saaman-Hene of Ashanti Akyem Hwidgen, Ghana;
- Grand Collar, Royal Order of Agonapong, granted by H.R.M. Danseiferi Anobri Okoto Kurentsir I of Nzema-Agona.
Heraldic arms
The coat of arms for Duah III have two designations, viz.: Greater Arms, which are the Arms for the Royal House; and Lesser Arms, which are Duah III's personal Arms.
Greater Arms:
Blazon: A heater escutcheon, party per fess or, vert, a closet party per fess argent, azure, gules, vert, argent, in first quarter a tiger statant guardant, in second quarter a hawk rising, wings addorsed and inverted, and in base an Asesedwa (traditional wooden Ghanaian stool), all proper, the escutcheon within a broad circular scroll or, fimbriated or, with the words "ROYAL HOUSE OF SAWERESO-SEINUAH" inscribed upon it in base, ensigned by the Royal Crown of Saweereso-Seinuah or. Behind all, a pair of Akrafena (Ashanti sword) in saltire reversed, blades sable, hilted and pommelled or.
Lesser Arms:
Blazon: A heater escutcheon, party per fess or, vert, a closet party per fess argent, azure, gules, vert, argent, in first quarter a tiger statant guardant, in second quarter a hawk rising, wings addorsed and inverted, and in base an Asesedwa (traditional wooden Ghanaian stool), all proper. Behind the shield, a pair of Akrafena (Ashanti sword) in saltire reversed, blades sable, hilted and pommelled or. The escutcheon is ensigned by the Royal Crown of Sawereso-Seinuah or.
Footnotes:
[1] To be "enstooled" is the Akan equivalent of the European act of being "enthroned".
[2] Aduana, in Wikipedia (Online, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aduana), Accessed: 13 Mar 2024.
[3] The "stool" is the traditional Akan version of "throne".
[4] National House of Chiefs - Kumasi, Extract from the National Register of Chiefs, Ahafo Region, Serial No. 60, Date Enstooled: 16 Jan 2020, Date Approved by N.H.C.: 21 Dec 2023. (image of document)