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Let’s use Ada Asafotufiami festival to promote Ghanaian tourism-Mankralo
The Mankralo of Ada, Nene Agudey Obitchere III, has called on Ghanaians to utilise the celebration of festivals to promote tourism which will serve as huge economic boost for the country.
Speaking on behalf of the Ada Traditional Area, Nene Abram Kabu Akuaku II at the launch of the 2024 Ada Asafotufiami festival (for the people of Ada in the Greater Accra Region), he said, there were many tourism attractions within the country that could be highlighted and promoted during such celebrations.
“Aside the fact that festival serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by forefathers to secure the Ada state, with thousands of Ghanaians especially Ada natives, home and abroad expected to grace the festival, it would serve as a huge tourist attraction for the country at large,” he stated.
“Let us also be worthy ambassadors to the rest of the world. At least, we can tell people of the Estuary where the Volta River joins the sea and the beautiful islands created by the huge volumes of water washing its way right from Burkina Faso and entering Ghana from the north, all the way here to the lowest point in the South of Ghana,” he stated.
He said there were abundant spread of tourism and hospitality facilities in the area, with some offering horse-riding, jet skiing, kayaking canoeing, cycling and whale watching.
“Asafotufiami resonates with most Ghanaian communities, especially the Ga-Dangmes and it reminds us of the heroic traits of our forebears in fighting for self-preservation and fending off domination,” he stated.
He added that, it was important to celebrate, reunite and remind the younger generation of Ghanaian culture and identity.
The Mankrola who doubles as the Chairman of the 2024 Asafotufiami Planning Committee, added that, the festival would be a time to reunite, mend fences and work together towards development of Ada and the country at large.
“The euphoria that engulfs the celebrations lives beyond the few days that are spent here. Ada has benefitted greatly therefrom, and surely would keep the festival flame burning always,” he stated.
He called on the youth within and without to come on board to make the celebrations a memorable one for visitors and tourists.
This year’s festival, the 87th edition would be held under the theme, “Upholding the Discipline of Our Forebears as a Tool for Sustainable Development and Unity of Ada,” and scheduled for August 1-8.
The launch was held by the Ada Traditional Council in collaboration with the Asafotu Planning Committee with support from Electrochem Ghana Limited and other sponsors.
Consequently, Electrochem Ghana Limited,operators of the Songhor Salt Lagoon donated GHC200,000 to support the festival.
The launch was held amidst firing of musketry (a symbolic feature of the festival), performance by Awa Group (a traditional singing and dance group) as well as a display by the Ada Youth Organisation.
Aside the chiefs and traditional leaders, the occasion was also graced by dignitaries including the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ada, Comfort Doyoe Cudjoe-Ghansah and the District Chief Executives of Ada West and East, Mr Sampson Tetteh Kpankpah and Ms Sarah Dugbaki Pobee respectively.
By Michael D. Abayateye
Massive celebrations were recorded countrywide as the Black Stars opened their 2026 World Cup campaign with a 1-0 victory over Panama in Toronto on Wednesday.
Midfielder Caleb Yirenkyi scored the only goal of the match late in the game as he shot in a decent cross from substitute Brandon Asante.
The win gave Ghana a positive start in the competition, placing them in second position behind England, also with three points but with a superior goal aggregate.
After the final whistle, the streets and other viewing centres were turned into partying grounds as fans, mostly clad in the team’s paraphernalia, danced to several World Cup-themed music.
Others blew the vuvuzelas in joyous mood with others putting up a spirited ‘jama’ session.
Former New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidate for the Adentan Constituency, Akosua Manu, has urged party members to move away from what she describes as an “entitlement mentality” and focus on unity, sacrifice and hard work as the party prepares for the 2028 general election.
In a statement titled “Is Loyalty a Queue?”, and posted on facebook, Ms. Manu argued that loyalty to the NPP should not be judged by how long a person has been in the party but by their contributions and commitment to its growth.
According to her, the NPP’s history shows that many of its leaders faced significant opposition from within the party before eventually leading it to electoral success.
She cited former President John Agyekum Kufuor as an example, saying he had to overcome resistance from influential figures within the party before winning power for the NPP in 2000.
Ms. Manu noted that after the party lost power in 2008, former President Kufuor faced criticism and accusations from some party members.
However, she said supporters eventually put their differences aside and worked together to rebuild the party.
She pointed to the experience of former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who, according to her, faced opposition from some factions within the NPP despite his long service to the party.
“His trials were ten times what Kufuor endured,” she stated, adding that Akufo-Addo eventually overcame the challenges and became President of Ghana.
Turning to the NPP’s current flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Ms. Manu said he also faced resistance from different groups within the party while seeking leadership.
She praised Dr. Bawumia for contributing to policy-based political discussions in Ghana and for remaining composed following the NPP’s defeat in the 2024 elections.
According to her, party members must now rally behind him in the same way they supported former Presidents Kufuor and Akufo-Addo.
Ms. Manu, however, warned that internal divisions and a sense of entitlement remain major threats to the party’s future.
She argued that some party members place too much emphasis on how long individuals have belonged to the NPP rather than on their contributions and capabilities.
“This entitlement does not question impact. It does not ask what you sacrificed or what you built. It asks only how long have you been here,” she said.
The former parliamentary candidate cautioned that such attitudes could discourage committed members and prevent the party from selecting the best people for leadership positions.
She further called on the party’s incoming national executives to strengthen the NPP’s core values of sacrifice, honesty, integrity and dedication to national development.
Ms. Manu addressed the concerns of young party supporters, many of whom she said became discouraged following the NPP’s electoral defeat in 2024.
According to her, many young people remain eager to see the party return to power but are unwilling to support internal conflicts driven by personal ambitions.
She urged party elders to place the interests of the NPP above their individual goals and to demonstrate leadership that attracts rather than alienates members.
“The NPP is bigger than any one of us. It always has been. Our collective responsibility is to act like it,” she stated.
By: Jacob Aggrey
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