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Akwamuman celebrates 60-year reign of Nana Afrakoma II
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An illustrious 60-year reign of Nana Afrakoma II as the Queen mother of Akwamuman was over the weekend marked with a grand durbar held at the forecourt of Bogyawe Palace, Akwamufie in the Eastern Region.
The durbar was also to climax the celebration of the Akwasidae Kese of the people in the Akwamu Traditional Area.
In a colourful event, the durbar which featured the display of the rich culture attracted people from far and near.
Among them were the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, former President, Mr John Agyekum Kufuor, the former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings and her children, the Member of Parliament (MP) of Asuogyaman Constituency, Mr Thomas Apem Nyarko, and a representative from the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs.
Others include the Dormaahene, Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyeman Badu II, representing the Aduana fraternity, the Otublohum Asafo groups, traditional rulers across the country, and the local council of churches.
Preceding the durbar on Saturday, were activities such as a health walk, live band performances featuring musicians such as Kwabena Kwabena and Akwaboah.
Addressing the gathering at the durbar, Nana Afrakoma II thanked the people of Akwamu, traditional rulers, and other dignitaries in the country for the support given her during her 60-year reign as the Queen mother of Akwamuman.
She advised the youth to accord the elderly the needed respect in order to obtain the blessings from God and remain humble.
Also, long serving staff, chiefs, and other individuals were honoured with various citations and awards by the Queen mother.
For his part, the Akwamuhene, Odeneho Kwafo Akoto III, lauded Nana Afrakoma II for the exemplary leadership shown since her enthronement as queen mother at the age of 18 years.
He noted that initiatives by Nana Afrakoma II such as the Afrakoma Foundation and the Nana Afrakoma Vocational Institute had contributed to shaping the life of the youth and had helped tackle issues such as teenage pregnancy and school dropout.
Odeneho Kwafo Akoto III, therefore, urged the President to support the Nana Afrakoma Vocational Institute to enable it to provide the youth with the needed training and equip them with the requisite skills.
He also called on the President to revive Akosombo Textiles Limited (ATL), the company that provided employment for the youth.
President Nana Akufo-Addo supported the durbar with an amount of GH¢100,000 and boxes of Black Label, Hennessey, red wine and champagne.
Benjamin Arcton -Tettey
The 29th Annual Dagaaba-Frafra Friendly Games have once again demonstrated that sports can be a powerful vehicle for cultural preservation, business networking, friendship and peaceful coexistence.
Held at the El-Wak Sports Stadium in Accra last Saturday, the games brought together members of the two ethnic groups from across Ghana and abroad for a colourful celebration under the theme, “Unity in Diversity: The Dagaaba-Frafra Model for Peaceful Co-existence.”
The event, which has evolved from a friendly football match into a major annual gathering, featured football, volleyball, sack races, lime and spoon, tug-of-peace and a penalty shootout for senior citizens.
At the end of the competitions, the Frafra won four events, while the Dagaaba secured victories in five, with the men’s soccer match ending in a draw.
The Frafra triumphed in the men’s lime and spoon, men’s sack race, women’s sack race and women’s soccer, while the Dagaaba won the women’s lime and spoon, men’s volleyball, women’s volleyball, women’s tug-of-peace and the senior citizens’ penalty shootout.
However, the games extended far beyond the sporting arena. The stadium grounds and surrounding spaces became a vibrant marketplace, with patrons enjoying and purchasing a variety of traditional foods, drinks and cultural products.
Local delicacies, including TZ, tubaani, bambara beans, pork, guinea fowl, local fowls, dog meat and kosie, were sold alongside traditional alcoholic beverages. Traditional dresses and other culturally inspired items also attracted buyers, turning the gathering into an important platform for small businesses and vendors to make sales while promoting northern Ghanaian culture.
The cultural exchange continued long after the final sporting contests, as patrons remained at the venue to eat, drink, socialise, dance and party well into the night.
In her remarks, the Guest of Honour, Dr Matilda Aberese-Ako, said the gathering represented much more than competition, describing the Dagaaba-Frafra relationship as a historic bond that had evolved into a modern sporting tradition and an instrument for peace.
MTN Ghana has been the headline sponsor for the games for the past 10 years.
By Gordon Wellu
By Gordon Wellu
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MTN Ghana has undertaken a tree-planting exercise at the Chipa Forest Reserve as part of its commitment to protecting the planet and support the restoration of degraded sections of the forest.
The activity forms part of the company’s 2026 Sustainability Month celebration held under the theme “Small Actions: Big Impact,” and its 30th anniversary celebration.
It was held in partnership with the Forestry Commission (FC) and the Rainforest Alliance with MTN Ghana supporting the restoration of approximately two hectares of degraded forest through the planting of 1,666 trees.
Due to the current dry weather conditions, 833 trees were planted during the exercise, with the remaining 833 to be planted when the rain commences.
The exercise brought together MTN employee volunteers, officials from the Forestry Commission and representatives of the Rainforest Alliance, demonstrating the importance of collaboration in driving environmental sustainability.
Speaking at the event, the Acting General Manager for Sustainability and Shared Value at MTN Ghana, Georgina Asare Fiagbenu, emphasized the critical role trees play in sustaining life and protecting the environment.
“Trees are essential to human survival and healthy ecosystems. They absorb carbon dioxide, release oxygen, regulate temperatures, protect soil, support biodiversity and provide habitats for many species. They also conserve water, reduce erosion and help communities adapt to the effects of climate change,” she said.
The District Manager of the Tema-Ada Forest Services Division of the Forestry Commission, Linda Ansah, welcomed MTN Ghana’s support, describing it as a valuable contribution to efforts aimed at restoring degraded sections of the reserve.
The Country Director of the Rainforest Alliance, Nicholas Jengri, also welcomed the partnership and emphasised the importance of collective action in addressing environmental challenges.
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