Ekumfi Chiefs Petition Mahama For Development

Nana Otwer Koko Nyieku VII

The Chiefs of the Ekumfi Traditional Area have appealed to the Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, urging him to address their development needs if he wins the 2024 elections.

Speaking on behalf of the chiefs, Nana Otwer Koko Nyieku VII, the Sumankwaahen of Ekumfi Traditional Area and Odzikro of Ekumfi Srafa commended Mahama’s achievements during his previous term as president, describing him as “Action Man” and “Edwumawura” in contrast to the current NPP government led by Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia. Nana Nyieku VII lamented that, the current administration has neglected Ekumfi, noting that, “not even a kilometer of road has been tarred by this current administration.’ 

Nana Nyieku VII expressed confidence that, only Mahama’s leadership and the NDC’s governance could bring the much needed development to Ekumfi. He urged Mahama to prioritize infrastructure projects such as road improvements and the mechanization of agriculture. He further pledged the chiefs’ readiness to allocate land for agricultural and other developmental initiatives.

Reiterating the community’s desire for change, Nana Nyieku VII cautioned Mahama to remain alert and attentive in the upcoming elections, despites the gods endorsing his victory. “Shine your eyes,” he repeated three times, emphasizing the need for vigilance.

Finally, Nana Nyieku VII appealed to Mahama to consider Dr. Ekow Kwainoe for appointment in his government, seeing it a strategic move to foster development within Ekumfi.

By: Yusuf Ibrahim Dadzie

Youths Bare Teeth At Chiefs

File Photo

In recent Facebook posts by multiple concerned citizens of Saltpond and Nkusukum, sighted by Shyn Media Gh (@shynmediagh), the youths of the Nkusukum Traditional Area are livid and worked up over the decision by their Chiefs to change the date of their annual Odambea festival. The festival, traditionally celebrated on the last Saturday of August, commemorates their migration from Techiman to their present-day settlement.

The irate youths are baffled by the Chiefs’ decision to move the festival from August to October, based on the explanation that government officials often fail to attend the festival or arrive late due to attending the Abeadze Traditional Area festival on the same weekend.

Expressing their disappointment with this move, they are demanding that the chiefs revert the festival date to its original schedule. They believe that the lack of publicity, youth consultation, and involvement in the organisation are contributing factors to the perceived neglect by government officials.

This uproar arises because, the new date does not align with ancestral and traditional considerations, potentially diluting the festival’s traditional essence and leading to lower patronage by locals and those in the diaspora.

Amidst these concerns, the youths have set 31st August, 2024 as the date to celebrate their version of the festival, pending the reversal of the official date.

By: Yusuf Ibrahim Dadzie