His numerous achievements in academia and traditional leadership are yet to be celebrated publicly in Ghana. But his stellar philanthropic transformation story of his village-Patriensa in the Asante Akim District of the Ashanti region has been hailed locally and globally.
Nana Osei Darkwa III who is a professor and a traditional ruler of the Patriensa has been using his own resources to bring significant development in the areas of agriculture, education, employment, health and technology to the people.
His changing lives story was highlighted prominently on the sixth episode of the ongoing season III of the MTN Heroes of Change which is MTN Ghana Foundation flagship project.
It was initiated in July 2013 to recognise and reward persons who have provided significant humanitarian services to their communities through personal sacrifices.
The MTN Ghana Foundation is the corporate social responsibility (CSR) arm of MTN Ghana, the leading telecoms service provider in the country.
Prof Nana Darkwa III was chosen by his people to participate in this year’s MTN Heroes of Change which is currently aired on GTV every Saturday at 5:30pm;Multi TV on Sundays at 5:00pm;TV3 on Sundays at 6:30pm; and GhOne on Sundays at 7:00pm .
The purpose of the TV shows is to highlight the humanitarian activities of Prof Nana Darkwa III and the nine other contestants for the ultimate cash prize of GH¢100,000.
The ultimate Hero of Change winner will receive GH¢100,000 to support his/her community project. Three selected winners for the various categories will receive GH¢20,000 each, while the remaining six finalists will also take home GH¢5,000 each.
Explaining the rationale behind his investments in the farming community, Nana Prof Darkwah III who is also the President of Ghana Technology University College, said he was doing that to improve the living standards of the people.
“I believe that all the charity projects will improve the lives of my people”, he stated.
“I am from here and I have known the needs of this village from my childhood. I already had plans of developing this village to a city standard, thus, all that I lacked growing up will be available for the young ones growing up.
After I ascended the throne in the year 2014, I called all leaders of this village and showed them the plans I had and where I want to see Patriensa in five years time”, Nana Prof Darkwah III who is a renowned Ghanaian ICT expert further stated.
Impacts of the projects
These projects, according to him have created direct employment for over 147 people in the village and several indirect jobs. While his agric merchanisation project has helped to eradicate hunger in the area.
“Patriensa was the first village to have had internet access available to everyone in the year 2000 and I have revived the farming in the village by providing transportation, accessible roads, rest stops and education on modern ways of farming. Cocoa production is now on the high. Seven students have benefited from my education fund so far and the water fountain in the center of the village has given Patriensa a great look.”
Furthermore, as the episode showed, the sites for the building of a modern cemetery and a bank are ready to be worked on by the constructors. Whilst plans are underway to build a modern market for the community. To this end, the land for the project has been cleared and development is expected to commence soon.
“The next step is to tar the roads in the village to neighbouring villages to make it easy for the people to connect”, Nana Prof Darkwah III stated.
The people in Patriensa described Nana Prof Darkwah III as a “blessing” to the village and country at large.
Previously, there used to be poverty and hunger here but since “Nana” started his projects, two challenges are no more in the community, woman selling cooked maize on the roadside said.
Nana Prof Darkwah III through his agriculture, education, employment, health and technology projects has eradicated poverty and hunger, improved literacy, provided quality healthcare for his people, among others.
He therefore needs more resources to enable him carry out the yet-to-be implemented plans for the betterment of the people. So, Nana Prof Darkwah III therefore needs your votes to enable him win the ultimate prize. You can do so by texting his short code name (Nana) to 1406.
The humble, affable and soft-speaking scholar, traditional ruler and philanthropist is a role model to many people including students, while his expertise and advice are being sort-after locally and internationally.
By Masahudu Ankiilu Kunateh, African Eye Report
