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The people of Akuapem celebrated Odwira festival

The people of Akuapem on Friday 30th September 2023 climax a week-long celebration of Odwira Festival with a colourful durbar at the forecourt of Okuapemhene’s palace.

Date Created : 9/26/2023 12:00:00 AM : Story Author : Samuel Y. Kumah/Ghanadistricts.com

The event was blessed with rain showers that signify blessings to Okuapemman state.This year’s Odwira was so unique due to its theme “Eco Tourism to Foster Sustainable Development '' and for the fact that it has been the first time in a long time of an absence of Okuapemhene.

As early as 7:00 am, chiefs and people from all the five divisions of Konti, Gyase, Benkum, Nifa and Adonti began converging at the forecourt of Okuapemhene’s palace amidst drumming and dancing with cultural displays.

To ensure safety of the event, there was heavy artillery of security personnel of both the police and military in every corner surrounding the durbar ground.

The event came to life when His Excellency the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo and a high powered government delegation including the Tourism Minister, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, the Chief Executive of NLA, MCE of Akuapem North and sister districts among many others arrived exactly at 1:15pm with rousing cheers from the crowd.

After the invocation of the ancestral spirit coupled with a religious prayer, the programme kicked off with the national anthem.

In his welcome address, the Okuapemhene’s Chief of Staff, Mr. Addo Yobo thanked God for seeing the new chief and the people through a successful year.

He said the durbar is also meant to show appreciation and thank God and the ancestors for their protections.

He extended the Omanhene’s gratitude to all stakeholders for their goodwill and prayers since he assumed his reign as Omanhene.

He said the gathering is to reaffirm the idea of Eco-tourism the state has outlined to open the place as a tourism destination and create job opportunities to the youth and hook Okuapemman to the word map.

Again, he emphasized that education is a number one priority of the king’s agenda and that if the youth are given proper education it becomes a good tool to develop, sustain as well as fostering national heritage, he added.

His majesty Oseadeeyo Kwesi Akuffo III in his brief submission stated that it was not per- chance that he assumed the Okuapemman mantle and that it was the will of God and the ancestors.

He then paid a glorious tribute to the Lord and the ancestors. He invokes the powers of the Almighty God and prays that the Lord gives him wisdom and strength in his stewardship as Okuapemhene.

He placed emphasis on the festival’s theme “Eco-Tourism to Foster Sustainable Development” that it was not chosen out of the blue but carefully thought of in line with the tourism potentials in the Akuapem area.

He pleaded with His Excellency the President to support the area in developing and boosting tourism.

Oseadeeyo also asks all and sundry to bury their differences, unite under one umbrella to fight for a common goal under development.

He said he has sworn an oath to unite the people under one destiny and that is what he wanted to achieve, he concluded.

On his part, His Excellency the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo Addo was so elated that the peace and unity the people have been yearning for has been achieved.

He called on the kingmakers and the elders to bury their hatchets and coexist so that Okuapemman will develop.

He said he would do all that it takes in his short time left in the Presidency to ensure that the new chief has a smooth rule. He further entreated the Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs Minister to ensure that chieftaincy wrangling is nipped in the bud countrywide.

Finally, the President of Eastern Regional House of Chief, Nene Sackitey submitted that the Akuapem area is not habitat for only Akuapems but also for Krobos and other tribes.

He advised the people to shun away from chieftaincy issues and rally behind the new chief. He also advised the new Omanhene to disregard what people will say about his reign but rather focus and be hopeful in God.

Both H.E the President and Nene Sackitey donated assorted drinks and undisclosed amount of money to the chief as their contribution towards the celebrations. Click to watch video