The chiefs and people of the Okuapemman Traditional Area in the Eastern Region last Saturday climaxed their 200th anniversary celebration of the Odwira Festival, with a call on the Akuapem people to put aside their differences to allow them to live in peace and harmony.
The Okuapemhene, Oseadeɛyɔ Kwasi Akuffo III, who made the call, said the unity of the people was critical to strengthening the five traditional divisions of Okuapemman and securing a better future for generations to come.
He said the celebration of the 200th anniversary of the Odwira Festival was not only an opportunity to commemorate Okuapeman’s rich cultural heritage, but also a moment for the people to reflect on their shared identity and renew their commitment to building a stronger and more united traditional area.
“As one people, we have inherited a proud Okuapemman from our ancestors, and we have a collective responsibility to preserve and strengthen it for posterity,” he said.
Huge gathering
Addressing a durbar of chiefs and people of Okuapemman, Oseadeɛyɔ Kwasi Akuffo said the courage, wisdom and sacrifices of the ancestors, chiefs, queenmothers, elders and ordinary citizens had laid the foundation for the development of the traditional area.
“It is our responsibility to leave the proud Okuapemman we inherited stronger for those who will come after us,” he said.
The celebration, held on the theme: “200 Years of Odwira: Honouring Our Heritage, Securing Our Future,” attracted a large gathering of people from across the country.
They included former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo; the Okyenhene, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin, who is also the uncle of the Okuapemhene, and led a retinue of chiefs and queenmothers from the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Area, as well as chiefs and queenmothers from the five traditional divisions that make up Okuapeman.
They were the Krontihene, Osahene Boafo Ansah III, who is also the chief of Akropong; the Adontenhene, Otoobour Djan Kwasi II, chief of Aburi; the Nifahene, Osuodumgya Otutu Ababio, chief of Adukrom; the Benkumhene, Osabarima Enyine Asiedu Okoo Ababio III, chief of Larteh; and the Gyasehene, Nana Osim Kwatia II, chief of Amanokrom.
Other traditional leaders at the celebration included the Wenchihene, Osagyefo Ampem Anye Amoampong Tabrako III; the Akyem Bosomehene, Okotwaasuo Kantamanto Owoare Agyeman III; and the New Juabenhene, Daasebre Kwaku Boateng III.
The rest were political figures, including the Eastern Regional Minister, Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, who represented the President, the Member of Parliament for Akuapem North, Sammy Awuku, members of the diplomatic corps and development partners.
For 200 years, the Odwira Festival has served as the heartbeat of Okuapemman communities, bringing together the people to celebrate their identity and values that have sustained them against the tides of change.
We are one people
The Okuapemhene said the history of Okuapemman demonstrated that unity had always been one of the major sources of the traditional area’s strength.
“Our towns and communities have distinct histories and traditions, but above our differences stands a greater identity as we are one Okuapeman,” he said.
“Where there are disagreements, let us seek understanding. Where relationships have been strained, let us pursue reconciliation, and where personal or sectional interests compete with the common good, let us choose Okuapeman,” he stressed.
Youth urged to unite
Oseadeɛyɔ Kwasi Akuffo particularly appealed to chiefs, queen mothers and the youth across the five traditional divisions to unite and work together.
“Since I ascended the stool, you have stood behind, advised and supported me to grow,” he said, expressing appreciation to the chiefs and people of the five traditional divisions for their support.
He urged the youth to regard themselves as one people, irrespective of the traditional division from which they came.
“We must know that all the youth in Kronti, Adonten, Nifa, Benkum and Gyase are one Okuapems, and I plead with you to forgive me and let go of everything we are not happy about,” he said.
He invited those with grievances to come to the palace for discussions and reconciliation.
Forgive one another
The Okyenhene said no nation could develop without preserving its cultural heritage, but cautioned that societies must also be prepared to abandon outdated practices that hindered progress.
“Everybody in Akuapem who was part of building Okuapemman in difficult times must continue to support the development of the state,” Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin said.
On behalf of the Okuapemhene, the Okyenhene appealed to those who felt aggrieved by past utterances to let go of the past.
“We must forgive each other since we are one people with one common destiny,” he said.
He particularly appealed to Okuapems who had stayed away from the traditional area because of grievances to return and join efforts to restore Okuapemman to its former status.
“Building a state does not require isolation, and we call for the unity of all Okuapeman citizens to join hands,” he said.
