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Rich display of culture, tradition at Ada Asafotufiami festival
•A queen mother riding in a palanquin
Culture and tradition were at its best last weekend when people from across the country thronged Ada to celebrate the annual Asafotufiami festival.
It attracted several dignitaries including chiefs, politicians and business executives.
Notable among them were the President of the National House of Chiefs and Paramount Chief of Sefwi Anhwiaso Traditional Area, Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi II; Ga Mantse, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II; President of the Ga Traditional Council, Nii Prof. Odaifio Welentse III and Business mogul, Dr Daniel McKorley who doubles as Development Chief of Ada by name Nene Koranteng Kabu I.
The festival was held under the theme “Upholding the discipline of our forebears for sustainable development and unity of Ada.”
In his address at the durbar on Saturday, the Paramount Chief of Ada, Jetse Abram Kabu Akuaku II acknowledged that, people of Ada and Dangme’s have a well-organised cultural identity.
He appealed to the people of the Ada State and the nation at large especially the youth to be disciplined, committed and dedicated to the human values and virtues to succeed in their collective endeavours as a people of common heritage.
“This is what our forebears did to leave us this great legacy of space called Ada State, from which we all proudly derive our identity and our sense of belonging as a collective and which was what informed our choice of the theme for the Asafotufiami,” he stated.
He urged all to uphold the attitude of discipline as guiding light in all they do, so tolerance, respect and the spirit of agreeing to disagree would be brought to bear on societal discourses.
He advised the youth against the rampant abuse of the social media platforms.
On his part, the Ga Mantse, King Teiku Tsuru II also urged the people of Ada to maintain the unity within the land which was crucial in promoting development.
“Let us all replicate the level of unity displayed by the chiefs and people of Ada during this festival. That is what we need to grow as a people,” he stressed.
By Michael D. Abayateye
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
