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Alhaji Raji enstooled new Oba of Yoruba community
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Yorubas in Ghana last Saturday stormed Chief Braimah Avenue at Sekondi to coronate Chief Raji V, an astute sports administrator, as the new Oba of the Yoruba community in the Western Region.
Although COVID-19 protocols were strictly observed, it did not take away the joy from the fair Yorubas, who graced the occasion and also to savour the joy of the day. Even, the six hours of rains that heralded Raji’s coronation, did not prevent anxious guests from attending.
handkerchief at the crowd
Peregrino Braimah VIII and his council members
turbaned by Imams
members receiving homage from a Yoruba woman
Showcasing colour, pomp and style, the coronation witnessed profused Yoruba tradition from preparation of variety of Yoruba cuisine, bounty dresses through to the turbaning of Raji V, amidst Muslim tradition.
What added the ceremonial touch to the event was the presence of the cream of Yoruba community in Ghana including Oba Alhaji Hamza Peregrino Braimah V111, Chairman of the Yoruba Council of Obas, Oba Alhaji Saka Salami (Olu Kasoa 1), from the Central Region.
The mood of the guests broke bounds when at exactly 12.30pm, Chief Raji V, dressed in an all-white attire, emerged from the palace waving a white handkerchief signifying his victory.
Spontaneously, the Chief Braimah Avenue at Sekondi burst into ecstasy as the Yorubas shouted ‘Raji’, ‘Raji’,Raji, ‘All hail our Oba’, ‘May Allah bless your reign!”
Before his installation, the National Chief Imam of the Yoruba community, Sheikh Mustapha Hussein Diko and the Western Regional Chief Imam, Sheikh Alhaji Ali Hassan, led the congregation to recite prayers for the soul of late Chief Raji 1V, climaxing the 40-day Adua.
Later, the Elder of the Raji family, Alhaji Mustapha Raji, the Imams and Muslim chiefs, presented Chief Raji V with a Koran and turbaned the head to signify his office.
In a chat with The Spectator, Chief Raji V, also known as Alhaji Ali Omola Braimah Raji, pledged to unify the Raji family and the Yoruba community to ensure the peace and development of Sekondi-Takoradi and the entire Western Region.
Born on September 26, 1956, Chief Raji V, began his education at St Peters Anglican Primary School, Sekondi and completed at the St Peters Anglican Middle School, Ketan, in 1971.
He had his secondary school education at the Sekondi College, and, later enrolled at the Kwara State College of Technology, Ilorin, in Nigeria. From there, he worked as the Client Service Manager at Project Monitors.
Chief Raji V returned to Ghana and took over the late father’s business, situated at the Market Circle, Takoradi, and also established Raji Timbers Limited, engaging in the export of wood products.
He established First Pole Limited to deal in general contracts and the marketing of agricultural products.
His interest in sports led him to become a director and team manager as well as the chairman of Sekondi Eleven Wise Football Club, and subsequently, elected unopposed as the chairman of Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA) from 2010 to 2016.
With zeal, dedication and commitment, the experienced sports administrator led GHALCA for six good years, and, undoubtedly, got a triple, as he was appointed the vice chairman of the Player Status Committee, a member of the under-17 national team and a member of the senior female football team.
From Clement Adzei Boye, Sekondi
Construction of a major underground stormwater drain along the Dr. Busia Highway within the Kaneshie enclave will commence on September 7, 2026.
The Project Coordinator for the Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development (GARID) Project, Dr. Kwadwo Ohene Sarfo, announced this at a special media briefing on Wednesday.
According to him, the works will involve the construction of a double-cell underground rectangular drain measuring approximately 10 metres wide and 1.95 kilometres long, stretching from Pamprom Junction to First Light Junction.
The new drain will replace the existing two 1.2-metre diameter pipes, which are inadequate to carry the volume of stormwater in the area.
Dr. Sarfo said the drain will connect at one end to the recently completed section within the Accra Academy campus and at the other end to the existing drain at Pamprom Junction.
He said the construction is expected to run from September 2026 to October 2027.
The project forms part of government’s broader flood prevention and mitigation programme aimed at addressing perennial flooding in Accra.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The former Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has withdrawn from the party’s National Chairmanship race.
In a statement issued yesterday, Chairman Wontumi who is currently serving a 20-year jail term said his decision was driven by his love for the party and his unwillingness to let his personal circumstances distract the NPP from its rebuilding efforts.
“There are moments in the life of a man when the heart wants to continue, but duty demands sacrifice. Moments when one must quietly set aside personal ambition, not because the dream has died, but because the family he loves must not be made to carry his burden. Today, I find myself at such a painful moment,” he wrote.
He disclosed that after many nights of prayer, sober reflection and consultations with his family, legal team, party elders, campaign team and trusted supporters, he concluded that his present situation must not become an additional burden on the NPP.
“This is not the decision my heart desired, but sometimes, true love requires us to release what we deeply want in order to protect what we love even more,” he added.
Recounting his years of service, Chairman Wontumi said he had served the party with everything within him, walking through heat and rain, travelling to remote communities and standing with the grassroots in both victory and defeat.
“For many years, I have served the NPP with everything within me… The NPP is not merely a political party to me. It is my family. It is my home. It is a cause to which I have dedicated a significant part of my life,” he stated.
He explained that the party, already carrying the pain of electoral defeat and the huge responsibility of preparing for the future, should not be made to carry his personal weight.
“That is why I cannot allow my present situation or personal ambition to distract the party from the difficult work of rebuilding. I cannot ask the party to carry my weight when it is already carrying the pain of defeat and the enormous responsibility of preparing for the battle ahead. I would rather carry this pain quietly than allow the party I love to suffer because of me,” he said.
He further sympathized with his supporters across the 16 regions, acknowledging that the decision would be painful for many who had sacrificed for his campaign.
“To my teeming supporters across all sixteen regions, I know this message will hurt. I know many of you will read it with tears in your eyes because I understand the sacrifices you have made for this journey,” he said.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
