Constitution of the Royal Order of the Golden Leopard

Royal Order Constituted in October 2021
H.R.H. Nana Òkofrobòur Ababio II,
Chief of Traditional Area of Ashanti Akyem Hwidiem

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.R.H. Nana Òkofrobòur Ababio II, known in his private life as Mr. Mikel Blanson, was enstooled and outdoored as the Saaman-Hene of Ashanti Akyem Hwidgen, on August 7th 2015
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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, H.R.H. Nana Òkofrobòur Ababio II, Head of the Royal House of the Saaman-Hene of Ashanti Akyem Hwidiem, desires to confer honors in the form of a traditional Kuo, 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.R.H. Nana Òkofrobòur Ababio II (“His Royal Highness”) looks to be innovator and create 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 Leopard.

ARTICLE I
Name of the Kuo or Royal Order

The name of the order shall be the Royal Order of the Golden Leopard or Sika Sibo Kuo, the Twi Language.

ARTICLE II Fount of Honor

The fount of honor is His Royal Highness Nana Òkofrobòur Ababio II, of an ancient Ashanti Kingdom, having been nominated, elected, enstooled by the Elders and Kingmakers of Ashanti Traditional Area, and recognized by the National House of Chiefs of the Republic of Ghana.

ARTICLE III Order Defined

The Royal Order is defined as a noble, chivalric, and international community and organization. The principal objectives are Charity and the Defense of the Royal House of Ashanti Akyem Hwidiem, the peoples of the Stool Land, and those of its soil in diaspora. The Royal Order upholds the ideals of a free world and the rights of people as defined in the Universal Declaration of the United Nations. The community is made up of individuals who are distinguished by their origin, education, upbringing, capacities, and worthy deeds. While taking an established and indispensable hierarchy into account, the Royal Order adopts the principle of social equality of all its members.

ARTICLE IV
The 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 Ashanti Akyem Hwidgen, 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.

ARTICLE V
Admission Protocol

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 Leopard of the Royal House of Ashanti Akyem Hwidiem.

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 Ashanti Akyem Hwidiem. 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 Ashanti Akyem Hwidiem.

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.The following are among the desired qualifications for membership in the Order:

  • To be at least 18 years of age for the rank of Member, and 21 years old for the ranks of knight/dame and above.
  • 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.

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.

ARTICLE VI
Ranks and Insignias

The Ranks conferred upon men and women and it’s respective insignias are as follows:

  • Member: no insignia;
  • Knight or Dame: the insignia of the Order suspended by a Golden drape, worn on the left side of the chest;
  • Officer: the insignia of the Order suspended by a Golden necklet;
  • Commander: the insignia of the Order suspended by a Golden necklet with the star of the Order;
  • Grand Cross: the insignia of the Order suspended by a Golden sash, worn over the right shoulder with the star of the Order;
  • Grand Collar: the Collar of the Order.

All ranks have the miniature.

Women can also wear the insignia of the Order suspended from a bow made with the ribbon of the Order to be worn over the heart.

ARTICLE VII
Titles, Styles and Privileges

Each rank within the Order entitles the member to the following titles, styles and privileges:

  • Member: anyone holding the rank of Member is entitled to the post-nominal “MGL”and is not entitled to any styles, insignias or heraldic privileges;
  • Knight or Dame: anyone holding the rank of Knight or Dame is entitled to the style of“The Honorable”, the post-nominal “KGL/DGL”, the insignia of Knight and to use as a heraldic decoration the likeness of their insignia suspended from their scutcheon by a drape;
  • Officer: anyone holding the rank of Officer is entitled to the style of “His/HerExcellency”, the post-nominal “KOGL/DOGL”, the insignia of Officer and to use as a heraldic decoration the likeness of their insignia with the necklet surrounding their scutcheon;
  • Commander: anyone holding the rank of Commander is entitled to the style of “The Honorable”, the post-nominal “KCGL/DCGL”, the insignia of Commander and to use as a heraldic decoration the likeness of their insignia suspended from their scutcheon by a necklet;
  • Grand Cross: anyone holding the rank of Grand Cross is entitled to the style of “His/Her Excellency”, the post-nominal “GCL”, the insignia of Grand Cross and to use as a heraldic decoration the likeness of their insignia with the sash surrounding their scutcheon;
  • Grand Collar: anyone holding the rank of Grand Collar is entitled to the style of “The Most Excellent”, the post-nominal “GCGL”, the insignia of Grand Collar or the sash and to use as a heraldic decoration the likeness of their collar surrounding their scutcheon.

The titles and honors are not inheritable.

ARTICLE VIII
Governance

Section 1: The Grand Master – The Grand Master is the Chief of Ashanti Akyem Hwidiem and Head of the Order. When the Chief is enstooled and outdoored, he becomes a member of the Order and enstooled as Grand Master of this Order. He shall serve for life or until he retires. If, because of incapacity, he is unable to serve as Grand Master, the Grand Council may call a Special Chapter General. On the advice of the Ashanti Akyem Hwidiem Traditional Council, the Grand Council of the Order may decide to elect a Regent until the Grand Master may reassume duties or his successor is enstooled. The Grand Master shall appoint all members of the Order’s bodies under this Constitution. His approval is required for the appointment of all officers of the Order named in the Constitution, as well as in the Rules and Regulations. He is the sole authority for the creation of a Knight or Dame and bestowing the noble dignity. No member shall be admitted into the Order against the objection of the Grand Master. All members of the Order appointed to any office or dignity within the Order shall serve at the pleasure of the Grand Master.

Section 2: The Chapter General – The Chapter General is composed of all Knights and Dames of the Order in good standing, such good standing being confirmed in writing by the national or regional jurisdiction (Grand Priory) to which each member belongs. Each Knight and Dame of the Order in good standing shall be entitled to vote at the Chapter General. The Chapter General shall be convened by the Adontehene (Grand Chancellor) on instruction of the Grand Master or on the death of the Grand Master, or on the order of the Grand Council. When the Chapter General is convened, notice of at least one hundred and eighty (180) days of the subject matter for which such Chapter General is convened shall be given to the Aboafuohene of each Grand Priory.

Section 3: The Grand Magistracy – The Grand Magistracy is composed of the executive officers of the and oversee the daily governance of the Order. Members ordinarily hold the rank at least Knight Grand Officer (the Grand Master has full right to make exceptions).

The Grand Magistracy shall consist of the following dignitaries of the Order:

  • Aboafuohene (Grand Master) – The enstooled Chief of Ashanti Akyem Hwidiem is the sovereign of the Order, all decisions are made by him, or in his name with hisconsent.
  • Adontehene (Grand Chancellor) – The Adontehene serves as an appointed chief bythe Grand Master. The Adontehene assists the Aboafuohene as an ad-hoc secretary of state, managing the Chancellery of all foreign affairs and diplomatic missions of the Order, and representing the Grand Magistracy to all official or strategic third parties. The Adontehene also organizes and mobilizes various offices and agencies of the Chancellery, according to the directives of the Grand Master, and is chief administrator of the Royal Order.
  • Grand Treasurer – The Grand Treasurer shall administer the funds of the Order and keep appropriate records of all transactions.
  • Sompahene (Counselor) – The Sompahene is an appointed counselor to the Adontehene and the Aboafuohene. His opinion shall be heard before all decisions are made official.
  • Anemusefuo (Representative) – The Anemusefuo is a representative of the Order within a specific region, with the goal of recruiting enough members to create a Priory of the Order. It’s his duty to do proper research on the candidates before indicating them to become members of the Order. Once enough members are recruited within the Anemusefuo’s region, he, or someone of his indication, may become Prior of that region.

Other offices may be created by the Grand-Master or Grand Council and established in the Rules and Regulations of the Order.

All Decrees, Rules, Regulations, Letters Patent, and Brevets of the Order shall be issued by the Grand Master through the Grand Magistracy.

ARTICLE IX
Renunciation of Title

The title and honor may be renounced by a Knight or Dame at any time and for any cause. The renunciation must be in writing and witnessed by two individuals not related to the current Knight or Dame. Both witnesses should sign and date the renunciation along with the renouncing Knight or Dame, and the document should be delivered to the Chancellor.

ARTICLE X
Degradation

His Royal Highness, the Grand-Master, by his own right and prerogative, as well as on recommendation by the Royal House, Grand Council, Grand Priories, and specifically the Traditional Council, may remove a knighthood, damehood, or any other honors bestowed.

ARTICLE XI
Amendments to the Constitution

The Constitution of the Order may be amended at the will of the Grand Master. If amended, the Constitution shall be published and distributed to all members of the Order, at which time the amendments come into effect. Amended Constitution shall be posted and distributed at the latest the 4th Sunday of November.

ARTICLE XII
Rule and Regulations of the Order

The Grand Master may promulgate such Rules and Regulations not inconsistent with any provisions of this Constitution, as may be necessary or desirable for the government of the Order.