Oheneba

Oheneba is a regal rank given to both female or male child of a king or chief. It is the equivalent of prince or princess (from Latin princeps, meaning principal citizen).

Most often, the term has been used for the child of a king, or for the daughter of a king.^[1][2][3][4]

The twi word derives, via the twi and akan word ohene, meaning "the chief or king" and ''ba'' also via a twi and akan word, meaning child, with the two meaning the ''chief's child'' or the ''king's child''.^[3][2][1]

Oheneba as a courtesy title

In the Akan tradition and Akan chieftaincy, the child of a king or chief does not ascend the throne when his or her father dies due to their Matrilineal inheritance and succession.^[5][6][7] However the children are given the title Oheneba which means the ''chief's child'' or the ''king's child''.^[4][8][9] The title is maintained even when their fathers (the king) passes on.

Notable people with the title Oheneba;

• Oheneba Lesley Akyaa Opoku Ware (Daughter of Otumfuo Opoku Ware II, the 15th King of the Ashanti Kingdom (Asantehene)^[10]
• Oheneba Adusei Poku (Son of Otumfuo Opoku Ware II, the 15th King of the Ashanti Kingdom (Asantehene)^[11][12]
• Oheneba Mensah Bonsu (Hiahene) (Caretaker and Uncle of Otumfuo Nana Osei Tutu II)^[13][14]

Oheneba as a given name

Oheneba as a name; Oheneba can be a given name of a male child in Akan ethnic group to signify how precious the child is in the Akan parlance.

Notable people with the given name;

• Oheneba Boachie-Adjei
• Oheneba Kow Aduako Richardson
• Oheneba Krabea^[15][16]