Ada Asafotufiami: Greater Accra Minister admonishes GaDangmes to unite for development
The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Daniel Nii Kwartei Titus-Glover has reiterated the need for GaDangmes to unite to ensure the continuous development of the region.
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He made the call on Saturday [August 3, 2024] at Ada when he represented the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to celebrate this year’s Asafotufiami (firing of musket festival) with the Chiefs and people of the Ada Traditional Area in the Greater Accra Region.
Mr Titus-Glover, who was accompanied by a delegation of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) in the region, said without unity the GaDangmes communities cannot move forward hence the need for all traditional authorities work with a united front to bring development to the people of the region.
Asafotufiami, is an annual festival celebrated mainly in remembrance of the heroic achievements of the founding fathers and ancestors of the Ada area during the many wars of survival and development of the Ada people.
It is a warriors’ festival accompanied by the firing of muskets by traditional military groups.
This year’s was the 87th edition. The celebration, which drew a number of people, both residents and non-residents, to the durbar grounds, was on the theme: “upholding the discipline of our forebears as a tool for the sustainable development and unity of Ada.
Guests
For the first time in the history of Asafotufiami festival, Ga-Mantse, Nii Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, led a large delegation in about five high occupancy buses from Accra to join the people of Ada for the celebration.
Also in attendance was the Paramount Chief of Sefwi Anhwiaso Traditional Area and President of the National House of Chiefs, Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi II, who chaired the function.
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Others were the Paramount Chief of the Nungua Traditional Area and acting President of the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs, Nii Odaifio Welentsi III, the Chief of Katamanso, Taatse Nii Laryea Akueteh X, and the the Paramount Chief of Prampram, Nene Tetteh Wakah III.
Buisness mogul and Chairman of the McDan Group, Daniel McKorley who is also a developmnet Chief of Ada under the stool name Nene Koranteng Kabu I, the Member of Parliament for Ada and Minority Chief Whip, Comfort Doyoe Cudjoe-Ghansah, the DCE for Ada East Sarah Dugbakie Pobee and her counterpart for Ada West, Sampsom Tetteh Kpankpah among many other sons and daughters of the area were also at the function.
The festival was heavily interspersed with thunderous firing of muskets at periodic intervals by traditional groups from Ada and their counterparts that accompanied the Ga-Mantse to the festival.
Various marching bands, dominantly females, who are members of the Ada Youth Organisations from various parts of the country, gorgeously dressed in their uniforms, also treated guests to dexterous drumming and marching skills akin to a military band accompanying their troupe.
The Asafoatsenguame (war captains) from all the 10 divisions in the Ada State also renewed their allegiance to the paramount chief, to serve the state whenever they were called to do so.
Indiscipline
In his welcoming address, the Paramount Chief of the Ada Traditional Area, Djetse Abram Kabu Akuaku III, lamented the use of social media to spread hate and fake news and charged the youth to take advantage of the social media era to spread the positive narratives about the traditional values, cultural norms and practices of the people of Ada and the country as a whole.
He said it was sad that some people especially the youth had resorted to abusing social media by posting unwarranted and culturally abusive language including invectives, nude videos and other acts.
He cautioned that such activities could get the youth on the wrong side of the law and urged anyone who comes into possession of any piece of information that could threaten the peace and unity of the the society to draw the attention of the security agencies.
Songor Lagoon
Djetse Akuaku III on behalf of the chiefs and people of Ada commended the President, Nana Akufo-Addo for transforming the economic fortunes of the people of Ada by granting the Songor Lagoon on lease to a private investor, Electrochem Ghana Limited for the production of salt in commercial quantity.
“Your Excellency, as this will be your last of celebrating Ada Asafotufiami festival with us as President, I want to on behalf of the good people of Ada express our profound gratitude to you for your bravery and show of leadership that has turned the once destitute Ada Songor Lagoon into a vibrant resource which has begun to turn the fortunes of the people of Ada and with the potential to turn the fortunes of this country for the better,” he said.
The Paramount Chief of Ada also urged all political parties to remain civil in their campaigns and desist from acts that could cause insecurity before, during and after the December 7 general elections.
Ga-Dangme unity
The Ga-Mantse, Nii Tackie Teiko Tsuru II lauded the Ada Traditional Council and the Paramount Chief for the invitation to participate in this year’s Asafotufiami stressing that at all cost Ga-Dangmes must unite for the progress of the people.
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The Nungua Mantse and acting President of the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs, Nii Odaifio Welentsi III, in an address delivered on his behalf by the Chief of Katamanso, Taatse Nii Laryea Akueteh X also re-echoed the need for unity stressing that it was important for GaDangmes to come together to fight for their share of the national cake irrespective of which political party was in government warning that without unity of purpose, the GaDangmes cannot fight for their rights in terms of developmental projects, education, health facilities, scholarship opportunities for GaDangme youth and many other needs.
Climate Change
The Paramount Chief of the Paramount Chief of the Sefwi Anhwiaso Traditional Area and President of the National House of Chiefs, Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi II, who chaired the function said due to greed, get rich quick attitude, the extensive consumption of natural resources and abuse of the environment, climate change was threatening the very existence of humans and this has been reflected in high temperatures, rising ocean levels, severe storms, flooding, increased drought and displacement of people.
He said if the current generation was to uphold the discipline of their forebears as a tool for the sustainable development something drastic must be done to address the impact of climate change and build a sustainable society.
The MP Ada and Minority Chief Whip, Comfort Doyoe Cudjoe-Ghansah and the the DCE for Ada East Sarah Dugbakie Pobee and her counterpart for Ada West, Sampsom Tetteh Kpankpah took turns to address the gathering enumerating the various developmental interventions they have carried out in the area.
Writer’s email: benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh
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