MP commends people for peaceful Homowo celebration

Accra, Aug 12, GNA - The MP for Odododiodoo, Mr Jonathan Tackie-Komme, has commended the Chiefs and people of Ga Mashie, for ensuring a peaceful celebration of this year's Homowo festival in Accra at the weekend.

He also expressed gratitude to the security agencies for handling the celebration in a way that did not lead to any confrontation and conflict.

There were rumours that the celebration could be marred with factional confrontation and could be a security threat. This led to the Greater Accra Regional Police Command to issue orders on the eve of the anniversary imposing restrictions but the festival passed off peacefully without any incidence of violence or conflict.

Mr Tackie-Komme, who was speaking at a Homowo get-to-together for cross section of the community at James Town in Accra, commended the National Peace Council headed by His Eminence Peter Cardinal Appiah-Turkson, Catholic Archbishop of Cape Coast, for mediating between the parties in the dispute in the area to ensure a peaceful Homowo celebration.

The MP also praised the Ga-Danbge Council and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for their messages, which contributed to a peaceful celebration.

Mr Tackie-Komme wishing the people a happy celebration said in the Ga language, "Gamei, afio afi. Afi aye ni eba nina wo" meaning "Ga people, happy anniversary. May the year go round and meet us again". Mr Daniel Nii Okai, Constituency Chairman of the NDC, appealed to members of the party not to meddle in the chieftaincy crisis in the area.

He advised them saying, "Do not draw the chieftaincy crisis into the party because there are members from both sides and if we bring this into our ranks it will disorganise party organisation and divide our front".

Mr Okai said, "the party needs unity now more than ever before and we should not encourage any matter that will divide our ranks to ensure resounding victory in the 2008 elections".

As part of the celebration, Mr Tackie-Komme, on Sunday presented jerseys and footballs to some clubs within the constituency after taking the kick-off in gala matches at two locations. At the London Market Park near the Fire Service Training School at James Town, the MP presented four sets of jerseys to the teams that participated in a gala there.

He presented a set of jerseys and a football to each of the teams namely "Eyes Are Watching" Football Club, "Silver Gym", "Lee Temple" and "Mandingo Boys" and assorted drinks and refreshment. The gala matches between the teams made up of old football players including former national stars are played every year as part of the Homowo celebration.

Obedience Dadzie, a former star of Okawuh United, Accra Standfast and Zebi, all former First Division teams received the jerseys, footballs and refreshment from Mr Tackie-Komme on behalf of the Clubs at the London Market Park.

At the Mantse Agbona Park, the MP presented two sets of jerseys, two footballs and refreshment to Kofi Bruce, a former National and Hearts of Oak star on behalf of the "Old Stars" Club and the Mantse Agbona Football club.

Speaking before taking the kick-off, he advised the youth to get actively involved in sports to keep fit and to avoid social vices such as alcoholism and drug addiction.

He noted that sports could be used as a tool to mobilise the people for development especially for activities such as clean-up exercises and other programmes within communities. 12 Aug 07