Chief appeals for share of Common Fund

Wa, Nov. 23, GNA - A traditional ruler from the Brong-Ahafo Region on Tuesday suggested to the government to consider allocating part of the District Assemblies Common Fund to support paramount chiefs in their development initiatives.

Nana Kwame Korang V1, Omanhene of Ewua Odumase whose suggestion drew applause at the joint Brong-Ahafo and Central regions' day at the National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFAC), said this would strengthen chiefs to play a bigger role in the development agenda of the nation.

He said chieftaincy disputes were a source of worry to chiefs and commended the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Culture for establishing a body to research into the lines of succession to stools and skins. The day offered opportunity to the two regions to highlight cultural practices that were peculiar to their peoples through dance forms, folkloric music, fontomfrom drumming, traditional praise singing and appellations and the display of exquisite art and crafts work in an exhibition.

Wofa Kusi Junior, a teenage musician from the Brong-Ahafo Region, held the audience spellbound with a rendition of his own musical composition on HIV/AIDS backed by melodious tunes from his guitar. Folkloric groups from the Centre for National Culture in Cape Coast and the Tanokrom Group from Brong-Ahafo performed. Mr Ignatius Bafuor-Awuah, Brong-Ahafo Regional Minister, stressed the importance of culture in the development of the nation and in line with that, he said the CNC in his region had developed a 10-year strategic plan that started in 2004, to revitalize cultural activities in the region.

He said the variety of cultural manifestations at the festival would not only make participants from diverse background to understand each others way of life, but would also help to overcome pettiness, divisions and misplaced pride among their people. In a speech read for him Nana Ato Arthur, the Central Regional Minster, gave a profile of his region extolling its rich history and dominance as the "tourism heart beat" of the nation.