Nana Amuah-Afenyi VI (born 1953), also known as Peggielene Bartels and informally referred to as King Peggy, holds the distinction of being the first female paramount chief of the Ekumfi Otuam traditional area in the Mfantsiman East District of Ghana's Central Region. She is also the third woman in Ghana to be enstooled as a paramount chief of a Ghanaian Traditional Area. Her story is one of unexpected destiny, bridging two worlds and cultures, and making a profound impact on her community.
Map of Ghana showing the Central Region, where Ekumfi Otuam is located.
From Washington D.C. to the Throne of Ekumfi Otuam
Born Peggielene Bartels in Ghana, Nana Afenyi became a naturalized citizen of the United States. Since the 1970s, she has worked as a secretary at the Embassy of Ghana in Washington, D.C., maintaining a relatively normal life in a condominium. The last time she had seen him was at her mother's funeral, in 1997, when he arrived at her mother's home in Takoradi with a group of his elders, a kindness that even in her overwhelming grief Peggy could appreciate. For years she had regularly sent her mother money, and once her mother was in a better place where no money was needed, Peggy decided to send it to her uncle out of respect. He had been grateful, and the two had kept in touch for nearly 11 years.
However, her life took an extraordinary turn following the death of her uncle, Otuam's former chief, in 2008. She received a phone call that she had been chosen as the next ruler of her hometown in Tantum, where she would become the first female king. Through a series of traditional rituals, she was chosen to replace him. Otuam's elders consulted genealogical records, discussed which of the king's relatives had the characteristics required to rule, and came up with a list of 25 candidates. Bartels was the only woman. Then the chief priest poured libations of schnapps to the ancestors, intoning each of the names.
“We chose so many names, male and everybody, and somebody suggested that we choose your name, also. And when we poured libation and did the rituals, as soon as we mentioned your name, it started vaporing and we were surprised. So we did it three times." Kwame Lumpopo explained, the king's elders had to propose names to the chief priest, Tsiami, who then said each person's name while pouring schnapps into the ground. If the schnapps was absorbed, it meant the ancestors did not want that person to be king. "The ancestors picked you, Nana," Kwame Lumpopo said earnestly.
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Peggy had to think about it," she said. She walked out into her living room and sat down on the sofa. How can a woman be a king? she asked herself. How can a secretary be a king? Finally, while driving on Rock Creek Parkway, she heard a voice in her ear. "Nana, this is your destiny," it said. That settled it. She called Kwame Lumpopo and declared herself the new ruler of Otuam. As she told the ambassador, who was at first openly skeptical about a woman becoming an African king, she would keep her job but take her month's vacation time (and accumulated leave) in Ghana.
Embracing Royalty and Overcoming Challenges
Since being chosen the first female chief of her village, she has spent several weeks each year in Ghana, on the anniversary of her coronation. She refers to herself as a “commuter king”, as she travels to Tantum for about 24 days out of the year to address community needs and issues. Her transition to royal life was far from easy.
She struggled to be taken seriously due to her distance from the community, and her womanhood. The people of Tantum had never before had a woman king: this made them reluctant to accept King Peggy as their authoritarian figure. King Peggy did not let these views affect her responsibilities and she worked hard to gain the respect of her people. She has proven to take her role very seriously, despite living half-way across the world. She calls Tantum every day to be informed and updated about what is going on in the community, and works to settle disputes remotely.
While she's in Otuam, she presides over fisherfolk and has confronted many hurdles, including, she says, tackling graft and dishonesty within the royal circle. King Peggy insisted future proceeds go directly into an account in a rural bank they opened in her village. She rejuvenated her royal council to include people she trusted, and has turned her attention to improving the lives of her community.
King Peggy in traditional attire.
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Impactful Contributions to Ekumfi Otuam
Despite the challenges, King Peggy has made significant improvements to her community. These include:
- Construction of a water system, providing access to clean water
- Introduction of computers to classrooms
- Assistance to families in poverty to pay for their children’s school fees
- Planning the development of a library
- Providing Tantum with its first ambulance
- Working to develop a plumbing system with modern toilets
By improving access to healthcare, clean water, and education, King Peggy has greatly improved the quality of life for her people. Furthermore, new educational resources open the people of Tantum up to new opportunities and potentials outside of this small fishing village.
Championing Female Empowerment
King Peggy is also very passionate about female empowerment and works to prove to the women in her community that they are just as capable as men: womanhood does not indicate weakness. She has replaced many male elders with women to give women a more active leadership role in the community. She preaches to women about standing up against violence and mistreatment from men. She also continues to title herself as king, rather than queen, because she believes that the role of a queen falls under the executive power of a king, and she does not want to have to ask anyone for permission. King Peggy exhibits the qualities of a strong leader, and she believes her ability to stand up against others makes her fit to take on an executive role of a king.
I would advise them to be strong, believe in themselves and have strong faith and pray because woman has the strength. I’m a childless woman, I haven’t had a child, but I understand it is a very painful thing that women endure when they are going to deliver. So, if we can deliver babies, and we can make a change in people’s lives, especially through me [in Otuam], they can see I’m making a lot of changes in people’s lives. Women have always succeeded where men have failed us. So I urge them to be very strong and believe in what they do and be honest and humble and they will succeed.
Royal Etiquette Lessons
After breakfast, the aunties taught Peggy how to walk majestically. A king, they said, was never to show any hurry. The whole world waited for a king. Auntie Esi strolled at a glacial pace down the hall, head up, shoulders back. “Like this, Nana. Auntie Esi smiled. Shoulders relaxed. Head held high. Chin up. Slow, straight, determined steps. “You’re frowning!” said Auntie Esi. “Don’t frown?” Peggy asked. “Don’t frown!” Auntie Esi repeated. “And you can’t eat or drink in public. It’s unseemly for a king to be shoving things into her face. Peggy sighed.
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The Making of a King: King Peggy
King Peggy's Long-Term Goals for Otuam
My long-term goal is to make sure that they have a good hospital with good medicine, and also an ambulance in case somebody is sick and they can’t cure the person in the town. Also to bring about a secondary school and to make sure that the town becomes a modern town and at the same time to be able to preserve the culture but not to deviate from the culture if it becomes a modern town.
A Role Model and Inspiration
King Peggy took on a new, unexpected role with strength and bravery. She remained true to herself, her career, and her passions while still working hard to improve the lives of a community she deeply cared about. She shows that we should jump on opportunities, rather than letting fear get in the way.
Her ascent to the throne and accomplishments as king are chronicled in her co-authored, eponymous book, King Peggy.
| Area | Achievement |
|---|---|
| Water | Construction of a clean water system |
| Education | Introduction of computers, support for school fees, library development |
| Healthcare | Provision of an ambulance |
| Sanitation | Development of a modern plumbing system |
| Empowerment | Increased female leadership roles |
King Peggy's story is a testament to the power of destiny, the strength of women, and the impact one person can have on a community. Her journey from a secretary in Washington D.C. to the paramount chief of Ekumfi Otuam is an inspiring tale of leadership, resilience, and unwavering dedication to her people.
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