• The Central Regional Minister, Mr Aquinas Tawiah Quansah, in a handshake with Nana Kobina Botwe II, the Chief of Agona Swedru, on his arrival at the durbar grounds. Looking on is Nana Oduro Kwarteng, the Guantoahene of Swedru.

Swedru holds durbar to mark Akwambo Festival

Gilbert Agbey Aug - 18 - 2015 , 00:56

The Central Regional Minister, Mr Aquinas Tawiah Quansah, has called on Ghanaians to co-exist peacefully at all times, to help facilitate rapid development of the country.

He said when unity triumphed over disunity, the country would be able to achieve its desired development in an atmosphere of peace and tranquillity.

Akwambo festival

Addressing a grand durbar of the chiefs and people of Agona Swedru in the Central Region last Saturday, Mr Quansah expressed optimism that the region and the entire nation would progress if Ghanaians stayed united, adding that divisiveness would not facilitate the nation’s forward march.

The festival, which was last celebrated in 2012, was on the theme: “Developing the talents of the youth through festivals’’.

All the chiefs appeared in mourning clothes following the passing away of some members of the Swedruman Council of Chiefs.

In response to a request by the chief of the town, Mr Quansah said the government would assess the National Vocational Training Institute at Agona Swedru to find out if it could be converted into a tertiary institution, as requested by the chief.

He called for cordial relations between the municipal assembly and the chiefs of the town towards the development of the municipality.

MP

The Member of Parliament for Agona West, Mr Charles Obeng-Inkoom, commended the people for a peaceful celebration and urged parents to take keen interest in the education of their children to help build a good foundation that would make them responsible adults in future.

He encouraged students of senior high schools to study the sciences as the country needed to accelerate the development of science and technology.

Swedru Chief

The Chief of Swedru, Ogidigram Okrupi Kobina Botwe II, thanked the government for executing various development projects in the town.

He mentioned the building of stalls at the Mandela market, walling of the royal mausoleum at Eguabriso and the renovation of the Swedru Sports Stadium, among others, as deserving of commendation.

Background

The Akwambo festival is celebrated annually to remind the present generation of how their ancestors migrated from the ancient town of Efutuobir in 1730 under Nana Gyan Kodwo to Agona Swedru.

The paths that lead to the traditional dwelling places and ancient palaces are cleared during the celebration of the festival.

Writer’s email: gilbertagbey@gmail.com