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Diasporia News of Friday, 30 September 2005

Source: Ghana High Commission, London

Ga Homowo Festival Celerated In The UK

Indigenes of the various Ga state domiciled in the UK and Ireland have jointly celebrated this year?s Ga Homowo festival in London under the theme ?Peace and Stability?.

A special feature of this year?s impressive celebration to commemorate the ?hooting of hunger? after a protracted famine in Accra was the participation of delegations from the USA, Holland, France, Russia, Norway, Germany and Canada.

Among dignitaries present at the event were Mr. Morgan Brown, Head of Chancery at the Ghana High Commission, London Nii Otu Akwetey, Katamanso Chief, Joseph Nii Laryea Afotey-Agbo, MP for Kpone Katamanso, Nii Lomotey Akrabatsa, La Chief in the UK, Naa Manye Aforkor Omaeduro, Queenmother of Katamanso traditional area, Dr. Ashie Okpoti, Chairman of the Ga Association in the UK as well as representatives of various Ghanaian ethnic associations, Ghanaian political parties in the UK as well as the friends of Ghana.

The climax of the event was the customary sprinkling of the traditional food ?Kpokpoi? by Nii Akrabatsa to invoke the spiritual guidance and blessings of the gods and the ancestors.

In his keynote address, Mr. Morgan Brown who represented the High Commissioner, Mr. Isaac Osei, conveyed the felicitations and warm wishes of Ghana?s envoy to the UK to the gathering and congratulated them for forging a solid and united front in the UK.

He emphasised that it was important for all Ga Adangbes and Ghanaians as a whole to bring to bear on the task of nation-building their proud record of historical achievements as well as special talents and traditions.

The Head of Chancery recognised the vital contributions Ghanaian community associations were making towards the development of their respective communities back home urged them to contribute even more to help surmount the challenges confronting the nation.

He encouraged Ghanaians in the UK to endeavour to continue to hold high the flag of Ghana by abiding by the British laws because the country had given them sanctuary and livelihood.

In his welcome address, Nii Lomotey Akrabatsa announced that a new society for all ethnic tribes based in the Greater Accra Region had been formed to reflect the cosmopolitan and cultural diversity of the area.

He gave the assurance that Ga Adangbes would continue to strive relentlessly for the advancement of the Greater Accra Region and the nation as a whole.