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Security assured at Odwira festival – MCE
Barima Awua Sarpong Asiedu Larbi
The Akuapem North Municipal Chief Execu¬tive (MCE), Barima Awua Sarpong Asiedu Larbi has stat¬ed that adequate measures had been taken to ensure a peaceful celebration of the Odwira Festival.
The festival which will begin on September 25 and end on the October 1, 2023 is celebrated by the chiefs and people of Akuapem.
Mr Asiedu”s made this prom¬ise at the parading of Odehye Kwasi Akuffu popularly Known as Joe Ferrel as the Paramount Chief of Akuapem during the funeral of the late Odehye Gladys Abena Otema Ohene at Akropong last Saturday.
At the funeral, Odehye Akoffu who was dressed in the costume of an omanhene danced to traditional music, after which he spoke to the mourners, proclaiming himself as the Okuapemhene.
His speech led to confu¬sion between his followers and those of the Oseadeoyo Kwasi Akuffu III, the gazetted Okuapemhene who would be presiding over the Odwira festival for the first time in six years.
The timely intervention of the police, however restored order.
After an emergency mu¬nicipal security committee meeting, on August 15, Barima Asiedu Larbi told the press that although calm has been restored, all the necessary security measures had been taken to ensure a peaceful celebration of the Odwira festival.
He, therefore, urged all Akuapems in the diaspora to embark on a homeward journey to join relatives and friends to celebrate the fes¬tival during which Oseadeoyo Kwasi Akuffu III would be climbing into the Palanquin for the first time in six years.
“We have handled security issues very well to maintain peace, although we have spent over GH¢2million on it in the past few years which should have gone into the provision of social amenities for the people.
“l, however, believe that the current peaceful atmo¬sphere will continue to enable the assembly utilise its finan¬cial resources on infrastructur¬al amenities,” the MCE stated.
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Ghana to locally refine its gold starting October 2025 – Sammy Gyamfi
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board, Sammy Gyamfi, has announced that plans are far advanced for the establishment of a state-owned gold refinery in the country.
Speaking at the 2025 Minerals and Mining Convention, Mr Gyamfi said the refinery will process locally mined gold into bullion instead of exporting it in its raw state.
According to him, it is unacceptable that Ghana, despite being a leading gold producer in Africa, continues to export raw gold known as dore.
He explained that the Gold Board, working with the Bank of Ghana and local refineries, will from October 2025 begin refining gold locally.
He also disclosed that an ultramodern assay laboratory will be built to ensure international standards in testing gold quality.
Mr Gyamfi noted that the refinery will be wholly state-owned and will help Ghana move away from raw mineral exports to value addition.
This, he said, will boost foreign exchange earnings, create jobs, and position Ghana as a hub for gold refining and jewellery production in Africa.
The CEO stressed that the project forms part of government’s strategy to ensure the country benefits fully from its natural resources and to transform the mining sector into a driver of economic growth.
By: Jacob Aggrey
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There is strength in diversity; let’s live in peace – Zanetor Rawlings urges Ghanaians
Member of Parliament for Korle Klottey, Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, has urged Ghanaians, especially the youth, to value the peace the country enjoys and to see diversity as a source of strength.
Speaking at the National Youth Conference held at the Pentecost Convention Centre under the theme “Igniting Potential; Inspiring Change”, she warned against being lured into conflicts and divisions fueled by reckless statements from politicians, traditional leaders, religious figures, or academics.
According to her, many young people have no idea what it means to live in a country torn apart by war, and therefore must not take Ghana’s peace for granted.
She stressed that the harmony among different ethnic and regional groups should be protected at all costs, since it is peace that allows citizens to gather freely and safely.
Dr. Zanetor said Ghana’s development depends on embracing diversity and working together.
She urged the youth to tap into this strength so that Ghana would continue to shine as the “Black Star” of Africa and serve as an example for other nations.
She expressed appreciation to the participants for attending the conference and asked for God’s blessings on the country.
By: Jacob Aggrey
