Effutus celebrate Aboakyer

Winneba, May 7, GNA - The Chiefs and the people of the Effutu Traditional Area on Saturday held a colourful durbar to mark their weeklong Aboakyer festival.

The festival to recall the migration of their ancestors from Techiman in the Brong Ahafo to their present day home some 1,000 years ago.

It was also used to purify their gods for their guardian and leadership role during the long journey from where they originated. According to the short history about festival gathered by the Ghana News Agency (GNA), the people were using the blood of human beings for the purification of the gods but changed to that of animals due to civilization and modernization after consulting their gods. The gods chose the blood of a loin but because of difficulties and the loss of lives by the two Asafo companies after another consultation were asked by the gods to use live deer.

During this year's celebration, the Tuafo number one Asafo company was first to bring their catch to the durbar grounds at about 9.12 AM where the Omanhene of the area, Neenyi Ghartey VII stepped on it with his left leg to signify his acceptance of the animal for the rituals. Addressing the durbar, the Minister for Trade, Industry, Private Sector and President's Special Initiative, Mr Alan Kyeremanteng, who represented President J.A. Kufuor asked the people of Effutu to bury their differences to enhance the development of the area. In a response to a request by the Omanhene of the area, he assured the people of the government's determination to help develop the tourism potential in the area.

Mr Kyeremanteng also pledged the government determination to improve facilities at the C K Gyamfi Sports College to help unearth talents of the youth in the town.

The Central Regional Minister, Mr Isaac Edumadze, said the Awutu-Effutu-Senya District had been selected to benefit from the Millennium Challenge Account (MAC).

He said without peace and tranquillity, there could not be any meaningful development and expressed the hope that there would be absolute peace in Winneba.

Mr Edumadze noted hat the demolition of the Old Kasoa market was not meant to create problem for traders and the people as some people were circulating.

He explained that the Old Market had to be pulled down to pave way for the construction of the Accra-Cape Coast Highway, adding that the life of most traders at the market was in danger. The Regional Minister said that there was the need to utilize the Multi-million-cedi market with modern facilities, which was not being used because of the old one. He called on women to contest the forthcoming District Assembly election to increase their numbers in governance and to promote their welfare.

Mr. Samuel Owusu Adjei, MP for the area expressed concern about the chieftaincy dispute that had slowed down the development of the town and urged the people to bury their differences and contribute towards the development of the country.

Mr. Adjei who is also the deputy Minister for Health urged the people to ensure environmental cleanliness to avoid diseases and asked them to register with the National Health Insurance scheme for better health delivery.

Mr. Solomon Quarshie Abam Quaye, District Chief Executive, regretted that the chieftaincy dispute was draining the coffers of the District Assembly.

In his welcoming address, Neenyi Ghartey appealed to the government to help in the development of tourist attractions and the construction of a safe land site at the beach in Winneba.

Among those present were Mr Joe Ghartey, MP for Ketan-Essikadu in the Western Region and Attorney General, Mr Dan Lartey, Presidential candidate of Great Consolidated Peoples Party (GCPP) in the 2004 election a delegation from Hohoe District Assembly, some District Chief Executives and Presiding Members in the Central Region.