Project in memory of King Okai Koi IV takes-off

Accra, June 21, GNA - Nii Amasa Namole, Member of Parliament for La Dade Kotopon has urged Gas, especially La citizens, to preserve their cultural heritage, to serve as a source of inspiration to posterity. Nii Namole who is also a Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture, said neglect of the cultural values of Gas did not augur well for the development and advancement of Accra.

The Minister who was the Guest of Honour at a meeting of the Tunma Family Association in Accra, said lack of interest by Gas to communicate with one another in the local language was undermining the linguistic heritage of the people.

Members of the Tunma We Weku Kpee used the meeting to cut the sod for the construction of a two-storey family house, estimated at 50,000 Ghana Cedis at La, in memory of King Okai Koi VI, King of Ga Mashie who died in 1660.

The ceremony coincided with the 40th Anniversary Celebration of the Association. Nii Mensah Anang-Yakah, Chairman of the association said so far members had mobilized 2,000 Ghana Cedis to start the project. Mr Anang-Yakah said the association was making annual contributions of 10 Ghana Cedis per male, and 80 Ghana Cedis per female, towards the project with the aim of rekindling the self-help spirit of members. He said since the formation of the association in 1969, there was nothing concrete to show as a legacy to the young generation. "We need to develop, and to do that, there is the need to begin from our home where the family tree was planted because we do not have any extra land anywhere to do so," he said.

Nii Anang-Yakah said it would take the association about four years to complete the project. He said the family was named after the great King, because he was the first family member who came to settle at La after the Ga-Akwamu war in the 17th century.