"No party T-shirts at festival"-Daasebre

Koforidua, Nov. 18, GNA - Daasebre Professor Emeritus Oti Boateng, Omanhene of New Juaben Traditional Area, on Tuesday directed that nobody should wear political party T-shirts or to display party paraphernalia during the Akwantukese grand durbar, which comes off on November 22 at the Jackson Park in Koforidua.

At a meeting with journalists at his palace on Tuesday to discuss arrangements towards the festival, Daasebre Oti Boateng told journalists at his palacesaid though he had invited all the flag bearers to the event he would not like the festival to be politicized He said it was about time that the chieftaincy institution asserted itself adding "We have to give the guidelines to politicians and not the other way round".

Daasebre Oti Boateng said the theme of the festival is "Development in Unity" and that the traditional area would be seen to be dividing the people instead of forging unity if it allowed political party supporters to display their colours during the event. He said this year's festival was also aimed at promoting a peaceful poll next month to bring the people together. "The peace that we are enjoying in Koforidua and its environs cannot be taken for granted".

On the significance of the festival, he said it signified their migration from Ashanti in 1878 as a result of two civil wars. "Our ancestors established the New Juaben settlement 130 years ago and through the resilience of our forebears Koforidua has become a sprawling capital." Daasebre Oti Boateng appealed to all to contribute positively towards the festival to make it a success.