News
Take pride in learning Ga customs, they aren’t fetish —Nae Wulomo
The Nae Wulomo of the Ga State, Nuumo Akwaa Mensah III, has urged the youth to take pride in learning and upholding Ga customs and traditions, stressing that it is their identity.
According to him, although they have shown interest, the process has been slow as a result of their involvement in church activities, due to the thinking that these customs and traditions are fetish.
But the Nae Wulomo insisted that, “these customs and traditions are not fetish. It has been with us for ages and our ancestors have kept them sacred before handing over to this generation.”
He said this in an interview with The Spectator in Accra last Saturday as the people of Ga Mashie celebrated their Homowo festival.
The festival attracted scores of people from all walks of life to observe the rich culture of the Ga people and other activities lined up as part of the festival.
The Nae Wulomo said it was important for young people to equip themselves with knowledge of the Ga customs and practices so they are not misled or disconnected from their roots.
The Nae Wulomo, who is the Highest Chief Priest of the Ga State, also cautioned the youth against violence and involvement in chieftaincy disputes.
He said many of these young people end up either as victims or perpetrators of crime when they allow themselves to be drawn into such conflicts.
“No girl or boy should be involved in fights or any confusion. If you are not killed, you may kill somebody and the punishment and agony that follow are the same,” he warned.
He decried the growing menace of drug abuse among the youth, describing it as a practice that destroys both the body and the mind.
“Drugs weaken the youth, ruin their appearance, and damage their mental and physical health. We need all young people alive and strong to build the future of our communities and nation,” he cautioned.
Nuumo Akwaa Mensah III also expressed concern about young girls being exploited as juvenile sex workers, appealing to them to pursue education instead.
“My beautiful girls, please stay away from such practices. Return to the classroom and prepare yourselves for a bright future. Education will open the doors to greatness,” he urged.
Turning to the Homowo celebrations, the Nae Wulomo praised the peace and unity experienced in this year’s festival, commending leaders of the communities for resolving some of the issues through dialogue and with the support of the Police and National Security.
“Yes, there were disputes in some areas before Homowo, but they were resolved. With unity and security involvement, everything went on successfully and peacefully,” he indicated.
He concluded with prayers and blessings for the people of Ga State and the nation as a whole.
This year’s Homowo was marked with pomp and pageantry at James Town and other areas of Ga Mashie amid drumming, dancing, chanting and firing of musketry.
Homowo means ‘hooting at hunger’ and also commemorates the triumph of the Ga people over famine during their migration to present day Accra.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
News
Declare a state of emergency in parts of the country affected by illegal mining – Coalition Against Galamsey to Mahama
The Coalition Against Galamsey is asking President John Mahama to declare a state of emergency in areas badly affected by illegal mining.
According to the Convenor of the Coalition, Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey, the situation has gone beyond control and requires urgent action to save lives and protect the environment.
He explained that the Constitution allows a state of emergency to be declared when the actions of criminals threaten essential resources such as water, safety, and the survival of communities.
He said illegal miners were destroying water bodies and depriving large communities of clean drinking water, which is an “essential of life.”
Dr. Ashigbey stressed that the call was not for the entire country, but only for parts of Ghana where the destruction is severe.
He added that declaring a state of emergency in these areas will give government the legal power to act quickly and decisively.
He also called on the President to provide clear timelines and targets to guide the fight against galamsey.
This, he said, would help demonstrate government’s seriousness and commitment to ending the menace.
The Coalition insisted that declaring a state of emergency was no longer a last resort but an immediate step needed to save Ghanaians and protect the future of the country.
By: Jacob Aggrey
News
The Ghana Bar Association must be non-partisan in the discharge of their duties – Dominic Ayine urges
The Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dominic Ayine, has called on the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) to remain non-partisan in the discharge of its duties.
He said the credibility of the legal profession would be at risk if the bar allowed itself to be influenced by political interests.
Speaking at the GBA 2025/ 2026 annual general conference, Dr. Ayine reminded members that their first allegiance was to the Constitution and the Republic, not to any government or opposition party.
He stressed that for over three decades, the GBA had played an important role in helping the Supreme Court interpret and enforce the law, but outside the courtroom, its advocacy had often lacked consistency.
Dr. Ayine pointed to past cases such as the 2015 petition against the former CHRAJ Chairperson, Loretta Lamptey, and the 2017 petition for the removal of Electoral Commission Chairperson, Charlotte Osei, where the bar remained silent.
He noted that the association only found its voice during the petition against former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, a stance he said coincided with the position of the opposition.
He questioned why the bar acted differently in those situations, especially since all three cases involved women of repute who held positions in key constitutional bodies.
Dr. Ayine urged the GBA to be the conscience of the republic, saying lawyers must defend the rule of law, the independence of the judiciary, and the rights of citizens regardless of which political party was in power.
He warned against inviting foreign interference in Ghana’s constitutional matters, saying international collaboration should be limited to professional exchanges and not politics.
He further encouraged the GBA to promote integrity among its members, strengthen pro bono services to support the poor, and embrace digital reforms such as e-filing and electronic court records to modernize the justice system.
According to him, the destiny of Ghana is tied to the integrity of the legal profession.
He added that if lawyers stand firm, the country will also stand firm, but if they falter, the republic will stumble.
By: Jacob Aggrey
