Unite for development: • Gt. Accra Regional Minister urges Ga-Dangmes
THE Greater Accra Regional Minister, Daniel Nii Kwartei Titus-Glover, has reiterated the need for Ga-Dangmes to unite to ensure the continuous development of the region.
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He made the call last Saturday at Ada when he represented the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, to celebrate this year’s Asafotufiam (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 Ga-Dangme communities cannot move forward, hence the need for all traditional authorities to work with a united front to bring development to the people of the region.
Asafotufiam 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 several 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 the Asafotufiam 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 were the Paramount Chief of the Sefwi Anwhiaso Traditional Area and President of the National House of Chiefs, Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi II, who chaired the function; 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, Tatse Nii Laryea Akueteh X; and the Paramount Chief of Prampram, Nene Tetteh Wakah III.
Also in attendance was business mogul and Chairman of the McDan Group, Daniel McKorley, who is also a Development 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 District Chief Executive (DCE) for Ada East, Sarah Dugbakie Pobee; and the DCE for Ada West, Sampson Tetteh Kpankpah; among many other sons and daughters of the area.
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The festival was heavily interspersed with thunderous firing of muskets at periodic intervals by traditional military 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 invective, nude videos and other acts that were detestable to any good family of Ga-Damgme origin.
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 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, to produce salt in commercial quantity.
“Your Excellency, as this will be your last of celebrating Ada Asafotufiam 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 that 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-Damgme 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 Asafotufiam, stressing that at all cost, Ga-Damgmes must unite for the progress of the people.
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, Tatse Nii Laryea Akueteh X, also reechoed the need for unity, stressing that it was important for Ga-Damgmes to come together to fight for their share of the national cake irrespective of which political party was in government.
He warned that without unity of purpose, Ga-Damgmes cannot fight for their rights in terms of developmental projects, education, health facilities, scholarship opportunities for the Ga-Damgme youth and many other needs.
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Climate Change
The Paramount Chief of the Sefwi Anwhiaso Traditional Area and President of the National House of Chief, 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, which has been reflected in high temperatures, rising ocean levels, severe storms, flooding, increased drought and displacement of people.
He said if the current generation were to uphold the discipline of their forebears as a tool for sustainable development, something drastic must be done to address the impact of climate change and build a sustainable society.
The MP for Ada and Minority Chief Whip, Comfort Doyoe Cudjoe-Ghansah, and the DCE for Ada East, Sarah Dugbakie Pobee, and her counterpart for Ada West, Sampson 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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