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.

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