Rains mar beauty of durbar for Parliamentarians

Kyebi, E/R, Oct. 20, GNA - A sudden downpour on Sunday afternoon disrupted a colourful durbar organised by the Chiefs and people of the Kingdom of Akyem Abuakwa (Okyeman) in honour of the delegation and participants of the 26th Conference of the African Parliamentary Union at Kyebi.

The long retinue of chiefs and their elders some carried in palanquins clad in colourful traditional clothes and gold ornaments danced to various drum beats to the admiration of the delegates some of whom were for the first time experiencing the rich culture of their hosts in Ghana.

The delegates were more fascinated when some young boys sitting in front of the chiefs in the palanquin showcased their artistry in dancing while other teenage girls also thrilled the delegates with both body and leg dancing to the admiration of the well-attended gathering, who showered them with cash donations.

Just as the Okyenehene, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin was exchanging greetings with the delegates, the earlier drizzling turned into a heavy down pour and not even the numerous umbrellas and canopies could protect the people from being soaked.

The rains described by some people as good omen, however, cut short the much-awaited cultural displays while the Speaker Parliament, Mr Peter Ala Adjetey, Elhadj Ibrahim Boubakar Keita, Chairperson of the APU, and the Okyenehene were forced by the circumstances to abridge their speeches.