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Asogli Traditional Council launches yam festival
Chiefs and people of Asogli at the lauching ceremony of the 2024 Asogli yam festival.
The Asogli Traditional Council (ATC) in the Ho Municipality of the Volta Region, has launched this year’s ‘Teza’ (yam festival) at a short and impressive ceremony in Ho under the theme, ‘Let’s Ensure Freedom and Justice for All.’
The launch showed the rich tradition and culture of the people of Asogli, which included the traditional ‘asafo’ music and dance, zigi and the ‘wuga’ dance which ushered in the chiefs of the Asogli Traditional Area into the mood of celebration to mark the festive period.
The activities earmarked for the festival is unique as compared to the previous celebrations with interesting programmes such as health-walk, health screening and exploring Galenku Mountain to Akoefe added.
Launching the festival, the Yam Festival Coordinator (YFC), Squadron Leader (retired),MrEvarestusCincinDargbe, said the festival was strategically programmed for the people, particularly the youth to learn much about the culture and tradition of the people of Asogli and the ‘Ewes’ in general.
MrDargbenoted that the celebration would start today with a grand durbar on October 5 to climax the celebration and a thanksgiving service slated for October 6 to honour God for a bumper harvest.
He said there would be a pilgrimage to the ancestral home of Asogli and Ewes in the Republic of Togo on September 6-8, climbing of Adaklu mountain, women’s day celebration, and anti-corruption day forum to educate the residents, particularly the youth on the need to be patriotic citizens.
According to him, the Agbogbomefia of Asogli Traditional Area, TogbeAfede XIV, would entertain children in the area, by organising a special party at his residence and a special programme on youth employment and entrepreneurship day at the Ho Technical University (HTU) on September 24.
There would also be a football gala, choral music night, marathon, a special borborborand a lunch with TogbeAfede.
The festival coordinator stressed that there would be a summit of Ewe chiefs from Ghana, the Republic of Togo and Benin, with TogbeAfede siting-in- state on October 4 and many others.
From Samuel Agbewode, Ho
The Minister of Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has pledged to work closely with the Judiciary and the Ministry of Justice to address challenges affecting the delivery of justice in Ghana.
He made this known after receiving the Chief Justice, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, who paid a courtesy call on him earlier today.
The Chief Justice was accompanied by Supreme Court Judge, Justice Gabriel Pwamang, the Acting Director of the Ghana School of Law, Professor Raymond Atuguba, and the Judicial Secretary.
The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, was also present at the meeting.
Dr. Forson said the Chief Justice explained that the visit was to express appreciation for the continuous support the Ministry of Finance has given to the Judiciary.
According to him, the Chief Justice raised concerns about congestion in the courts, describing it as a major challenge that affects the speedy delivery of justice.
He said several solutions are currently being considered to help reduce the pressure on the courts.
“The Chief Justice also highlighted issues regarding the working conditions of staff within the Judiciary,” Dr. Forson stated.
He assured them of his commitment to helping resolve these problems through collaboration with the Judiciary and the Ministry of Justice.
“I am committed to working closely with the Judiciary and the Ministry of Justice to tackle these challenges,” he said.
As part of the measures being considered, Dr. Forson revealed that his ministry is examining the possibility of allowing the Judiciary to use 100 percent of its Internally Generated Funds (IGF) to meet urgent operational needs.
He said this move, if approved, would help improve the efficiency of the courts and enhance justice delivery across the country.
The meeting forms part of efforts to strengthen cooperation between the Executive and the Judiciary in addressing systemic challenges within Ghana’s justice system.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Ghana has begun talks with the family of Guinea’s first President, Sékou Touré, to take possession of the house where Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah lived and worked during his final years in exile.
The Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, announced that the move follows instructions from President John Dramani Mahama.
According to him, the Mahama administration plans to renovate and preserve the residence in Guinea as a mark of respect for Nkrumah and to protect his legacy.
He explained that the site is expected to become part of a broader historical and tourism experience that traces Nkrumah’s life from Ghana to Guinea.
The decision was formally communicated to the Sékou Touré family on Saturday during a visit led by Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang.
The visit took place after the investiture of Guinea’s President Mamady Doumbouya.
Mr Ablakwa noted that the Ghanaian delegation toured Nkrumah’s abandoned home and was warmly received by three generations of the Sékou Touré family, led by the former president’s eldest son.
He added that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is currently negotiating the terms and conditions of the arrangement and engaging preservation experts to handle the restoration works.
The minister assured the public that the process will be handled openly, stressing that Ghanaians will be kept informed at every stage in the interest of transparency and accountability.
Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah was Ghana’s first President and a leading figure in Africa’s independence and Pan African movements.
His years in Guinea symbolised the strong political and ideological ties between the two countries.
By: Jacob Aggrey
