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Chiefs, Queenmothers not evil
The Queenmother of Agave Traditional Area, Mamaga Anyagadze, has advised Ghanaians not to regard chiefs and queenmothers as evil or idol worshipers.
“They are not evil or idol worshipers. We should rather take the necessary steps to learn more about the custodian role that traditional rulers play in protecting the rich culture and tradition of the people.”
Mamaga Anyagadze gave the advice at the installation and outdooring of Togbe Nornorkuadzi-Tsigbe II and Mama Kumorxe II as chief and queenmother of the Fievie Clan, a division of the Agave Traditional Area.
The stool has been vacant for the past 100 years.
According to Mamaga Anyagadze, there was nothing evil about chiefs and queenmothers, irrespective of the various traditional practices.
“The Holy Bible identified kings and their roles in the affairs of men, therefore, it is important for Ghanaians, particularly the youth, to know much about chiefs and the cultural practices of their respective traditional areas.”
Mamaga Anyagadze observed that it was unfortunate families and friends related well with people but the moment they became chiefs, they distant themselves from them with the mind that the chiefs and queens indulge in evil.
The queenmother of the Agave Traditional Area explained that the fundamental roles of traditional rulers, including leading and providing leadership that would promote peace and unity, were vital to development, and had nothing to do with idol worship and evil spirits.
According to her, the greatest thing citizens could offer traditional rulers was to support them by offering constructive criticism instead of outright condemnation as evil men and women.
This, she said, was a misconception without any basis at all.
A Senior Divisional Chief of the Adaklu Traditional Area and the Chief of Adaklu-Anfoe, Togbe Agbobada, who was the guest speaker, said due to the vital roles chiefs played, it was mostly difficult to get one, a situation that affected the Fievie Clan of Agave traditional area for over 100 years, stressing the need for the people to safeguard jealously against any act that would distract the new traditional rulers.
Togbe Agbobada noted that chiefs were the symbol of hope, peace and unity of every society, and, therefore urged the people of the Fievie Clan to work hard and support the new traditional rulers for the rapid development of the area.
The newly installed chief, Togbe Nornorkuadzi Tsigbe II, lauded the kingmakers for the confidence reposed in him and the queenmother, Mama Kumorxe, and promised to serve the people to the best of their abilities.
Moreover, Togbe Nornorkuadzi urged the people to uphold the rich cultural practices of Agave, to pave the way for meaningful development, saying without upholding the cultural and traditional values of the area, there could be no meaningful development.
Present at the ceremony were Secretary to the Paramount Chief of Agave Traditional Area, Togbega Xedihor Hlitabo, Mr Charles Amenyo, Deputy Secretary, Mr Holy Kofi Ahiabu, the Custodian of the Chieftain of the Agave Paramount Chief, Mr Alfred Woyome, the Head of Fievie Clan of Agave, and Togbe Kpegla Aheto.
From Samuel Agbewode, Dabala
Medical Doctor and dietician, Dr Bernice Korkor Asare, has urged women to take greater responsibility for their lifestyle choices, particularly their eating habits and levels of physical activity, to help reduce their risk of developing breast cancer.
According to her, although, some breast cancer risk factors, such as family history and certain reproductive factors, may not be within an individual’s control, lifestyle choices offer an opportunity for people to take preventive action.
She made this known during a talk on the topic: “Role of diet in breast cancer prevention” organised by Times Ladies Association of the New Times Corporation, publishers of The Ghanaian Times and The Spectator, in Accra on Thursday.
The event themed “Breast Cancer Awareness- Promoting Early Detection, Healthy Eating and Prevention.” 
She noted that having a risk factor did not automatically mean a person would develop breast cancer, but could increase the likelihood of developing the disease compared with someone without that particular risk factor.
“Having close relatives who have had breast cancer, particularly a mother, sister or daughter, may increase the risk, although not everyone with a family history will develop the disease,” Dr Asare opined. Read More.
By Adizatu K. Munkaila
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A group of compassionate friends from Innovation Gospel Impact last Friday visited the management, teachers and learners of the Street Academy in Accra.
The visit was to interact to get a deeper insight into the operations of the Academy that houses hundreds of street and underprivileged children and find ways to support them.
The team was led by Rev. Dr Isaac Apenteng Yeboah, a former Director for West African Mailbox Club and Director for Prisons Support Foundation, and Rev. Dale Sutherland from Washington DC.
The call, according to the visitors was occasioned by reports about the struggles of the Academy despite the occasional support it enjoys from individuals and some corporate entities.
Briefing them, the Founder and Executive Director of the Academy, Dr Ataa Lartey, thanked them for the concern showed, indicating that “this is a major boost for both teachers and learners; knowing that their plight is known by people outside their premises.”
According Dr Lartey, the Academy had planned to undertake a number of project to enhance teaching and learning and also procure facilities for the children with keen interest in sports but had to shelve those plans for lack of finance.
He told the team that their biggest concerns were the monthly utility bills that takes a toll on their finances.
“We have a piece of land we planned to turn into an astro turf pitch to train the younger ones whose interests lies in making a career out of football, however, we have been unable to commence because there is no money now,” he said.
Dr Lartey expressed gratitude to the teachers who have dedicated their lives to training these children, rather than going for well-paying jobs and hoped that with time, their conditions of engagement would improve.
Moved by the plight of the Academy, the group donated a cash amount of Gh₵3,000 to settle its water bills.
They described as unfortunate the conditions of learners and teachers of the Academy and pledged to continuously support their operations to realize the dream to build a better future for the unfortunate children.
The group offered to support the school with its monthly utility bills, feeding and staff allowance and urged the Academy staff to remain in constant touch with them.
The Street Academy is located at the Accra Art Center and offers brilliant but needy the chance to pursue their educational dreams by enrolling them in public schools with others offered training in sports and cultural activities.
By Spectator Reporter
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