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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
The Ghana National Gas Company has denied allegations of wrongdoing in its recent procurement and insurance contract renewals.
In a press statement issued in Accra on April 13, 2026, the company explained that concerns raised in some media reports were linked to a change in its lead insurer.
It noted that the change followed the expiration of previous insurance contracts at the end of the year.
The company stressed that the new insurance arrangements are lawful and form part of efforts to improve its risk management system to protect its assets.
It further indicated that all contracts awarded so far have gone through the required approval processes by the Public Procurement Authority after receiving financial clearance from the Ministry of Finance.
The statement, signed by the Head of Corporate Affairs, Richard Ernest Kirk-Mensah, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
It added that management remains focused on delivering gas efficiently to meet the country’s energy needs while continuing to strengthen internal systems to ensure good corporate governance and compliance.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana has clarified that it now supports the implementation of the Publican Artificial Intelligence system at the country’s ports, following earlier concerns raised in 2025.
In a press statement issued on April 9, the Association explained that claims suggesting it still opposes the system are misleading and based on outdated information from a December 18, 2025 media publication.
It noted that its earlier concerns were legitimate, pointing to a lack of stakeholder consultation, as well as issues related to data security, transparency, and system integration.
At the time, it called for broader engagement to ensure the system would be credible and beneficial to all stakeholders.
According to the statement, the Government of Ghana, through the Finance Ministry and the Ghana Revenue Authority, has since engaged industry players, including the Association, to address those concerns.
The Association described the engagements as constructive, indicating that they helped resolve key issues and showed government’s commitment to improving the system’s implementation.
As a result, it affirmed its support for the Publican AI system, which has already been rolled out at the ports.
The Association acknowledged that the system is facing some operational challenges but noted that such difficulties are common with major technological reforms.
It added that authorities are taking steps to resolve the issues.
It highlighted the potential benefits of the system, including improved revenue mobilisation, increased transparency, reduced revenue leakages, and a decline in unethical practices at the ports.
The statement cautioned the public against attempts by some individuals and groups to misrepresent its position, stressing that such actions undermine national progress.
It further emphasised that it will not allow itself to be used for propaganda or agendas that do not serve the interests of importers, exporters, and the wider economy.
The Executive Secretary of the Association, Samson Asaki Awingobit, signed the statement, reaffirming the group’s commitment to supporting reforms that improve efficiency at the ports and promote a fair trading environment.
By: Jacob Aggrey
