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Rich display of culture, tradition at Ada Asafotufiami festival
•A queen mother riding in a palanquin
Culture and tradition were at its best last weekend when people from across the country thronged Ada to celebrate the annual Asafotufiami festival.
It attracted several dignitaries including chiefs, politicians and business executives.
Notable among them were the President of the National House of Chiefs and Paramount Chief of Sefwi Anhwiaso Traditional Area, Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi II; Ga Mantse, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II; President of the Ga Traditional Council, Nii Prof. Odaifio Welentse III and Business mogul, Dr Daniel McKorley who doubles as Development Chief of Ada by name Nene Koranteng Kabu I.
The festival was held under the theme “Upholding the discipline of our forebears for sustainable development and unity of Ada.”
In his address at the durbar on Saturday, the Paramount Chief of Ada, Jetse Abram Kabu Akuaku II acknowledged that, people of Ada and Dangme’s have a well-organised cultural identity.
He appealed to the people of the Ada State and the nation at large especially the youth to be disciplined, committed and dedicated to the human values and virtues to succeed in their collective endeavours as a people of common heritage.
“This is what our forebears did to leave us this great legacy of space called Ada State, from which we all proudly derive our identity and our sense of belonging as a collective and which was what informed our choice of the theme for the Asafotufiami,” he stated.
He urged all to uphold the attitude of discipline as guiding light in all they do, so tolerance, respect and the spirit of agreeing to disagree would be brought to bear on societal discourses.
He advised the youth against the rampant abuse of the social media platforms.
On his part, the Ga Mantse, King Teiku Tsuru II also urged the people of Ada to maintain the unity within the land which was crucial in promoting development.
“Let us all replicate the level of unity displayed by the chiefs and people of Ada during this festival. That is what we need to grow as a people,” he stressed.
By Michael D. Abayateye
The Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak, has accepted an apology from the Minority leader in Parliament following allegations of corruption in the recruitment process of the security services.
Speaking in Parliament yesterday, he indicated that the accusations were painful because they portrayed his actions in a way that suggested criminal wrongdoing.
“It is painful to be wrongly accused or for your actions to be misconstrued and labelled differently from your intention, especially when it is linked with criminality and serious wrongdoing,” he stated.
Mr Mubarak noted that although he was deeply hurt and worried by the allegations, he had decided to accept the apology wholeheartedly.
According to him, the issue should guide members of the House and public officials to focus on ensuring that the right things are done without attempting to destroy one another.
He assured the Minority that the Interior Ministry and the various security service commanders remain committed to transparency and accountability in their work.
The Minister added that the ministry would be ready to address any concerns raised by the Minority or other members of Parliament regarding recruitment into the security services.
He further appealed to the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, to consider expunging from the parliamentary records the false comments.
Mr Mubarak expressed appreciation to the Speaker for handling the matter and emphasised the need for cooperation among members of Parliament to ensure fairness and proper oversight.
By: Jacob Aggrey
THE Gospel Advocates (TGA), a non-denominational evangelistic Christian organisation last Saturday donated a number of educational logistics to the Dodi Asantekrom Basic School in the Eastern region of Ghana.
The gesture was to mark the seventh anniversary of the organisation made up of professionals committed to preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to students in senior high schools, particularly in rural communities.
TGA also seeks to inspire students towards attaining academic excellence and guiding them towards optimising the various learning opportunities and academic programmes available at the tertiary level.
Among the items donated were 100 desks, 10 cupboards, 10 desktop computers, two laptops, 10 teachers’ tables and chairs and others.
The group also held its annual outreach programme that had a significant impact in the community through initiatives such as feeding 500 children with hot meals and assorted drinks, providing free medical screening and drugs for 500 adults and youth and conducting health education and sensitisation for both children and adults.
TGA also took upon itself to restock the community clinic with essential medicines and distributed food items, plastic bowls, cups and clothing to members of the community.
The initiative, according to officials of the group, was supported by ORSAM Limited, Doctors Save Lives Foundation, Johnson Tord Foundation, El-Shaddai Mothercare, Exceed Alliance Limited, GB Foods Ghana Limited, Qualiplast Limited, Phyto-Riker (Gihoc) Pharmaceuticals Limited, Cosa Bright Ghana, Kabs Pharmacy, Tobinco Pharmaceuticals, Pill Bay Pharmacy and Bamah 3.7.7.
“We are deeply grateful for their immense support and partnership in bringing hope, relief, and practical assistance to the people of Dodi Asantekrom,” the officials said.
In a statement, the President and Chairman of The Gospel Advocates, Mr. Selom Kpikpitse, said the donation to Dodi Asantekrom forms part of TGA’s broader mission to propagate the gospel of Jesus Christ among students and youth in rural communities through teachings, music and arts.
He explained that the meals provided to over 500 pupils were in line with the organization’s annual “Feed the Kidz Project,” which demonstrates Christ’s love.
Receiving the items on behalf of the school, the Headmaster, Mr. Otumfour Newton, expressed gratitude to TGA and its sponsors, saying that “the items would significantly enhance teaching and learning while improving the overall welfare and development of the pupils.”
Mr. Newton also commended the team for the free medical screenings for adults and youth in the community, and other community engagements.
Medical supplies were also donated to the Dodi Asantekrom CHPS compound and received on behalf of the facility by Mr. Amefu, a Physician Assistant.
By Spectator Reporter
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