Prayers can solve power crisis - Osu Mantse

Nii Okwei Kinka Dowuona VI, the Paramount Chief and President of the Osu Traditional Council, has called on Ghanaians to pray for a solution to the electricity problem during the period of the ban on drumming and noise making in the area.

Nii Kinka Dowuona made the call after he had led the Osu traditional leaders to perform the ‘Nmaa Dumo’ (putting the first maize seed into the soil) at the shrine at the Osu Castle.

This is to seal the ban on drumming and noise making for three weeks which starts on Friday, May 15 in Osu and ends on June 5, 2015.

It is a custom that heralds the processes for the commencement of the Homowo festival amongst the Osu people and the Ga Adangmes in general.

Nii Kinka Dowuona said the yearly sacred ritual performed during such periods were for the prosperity, progress and blessings of indigenes of the area.

He said the ban is to allow the earth to revitalise itself and it is a significant occasion for the traditional leaders and all Ga Adangmes to fast and pray for the abundance of food in the coming season.

“Every community has its own culture and traditions which helps businesses to flourish and it is time we respect them. It is not like we are imposing anything on the citizens, but to approach God in humility. As custodians of the land, we need a peaceful and serene atmosphere to solemnly fast, pray and ask God for our needs. If you go to Rome you do what they do,” he said.

Nii Kinka Dowuona said the Osu Traditional Area shares boundaries with Ga Mashie in the South-West and La in the South-East.

Major towns within its domain include Nima, Maamobi, Kotobaabi, Dzorwulu, Roman Ridge, Airport Residential, West Legon, Haatso, Kponkpo, Boi, Sesemi and Ayi-Mensah, near Aburi.

Mr Theophilus Chuasam, Registrar of the Osu Traditional Council, also urged the general public to observe the occasion with reverence.

He reminded Ghanaians of the May 9, 2001 Accra Sports Stadium disaster, which fell within a ban on drumming and noise making period and urged the public to avoid making noise.