"Oguaa Fetu-Afahye" festival launched

Cape Coast, June 29, GNA - Professor Jophus Ato Anamuah-Mensah, Vice Chancellor of University of Education, Winneba (UEW), on Friday stressed the need for Ghanaians to learn about the history of past heroes and emulate their good examples to enhance the country's development.

He said some of the nation's heroes left behind "meaningful and important legacies" when properly harnessed would enhance development. Professor Anamuah-Mensah made the call when launching this year's "Oguaa Fetu-Afahye" festival, under the theme "Celebrating Cape Coast and her Heroes," at Cape Coast.

He said with the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Ghana's independence, Ghanaians should express appreciation not only to the "Big Six" but acknowledge the sacrifices of veritable heroes and heroines of the last two centuries, in the development of education and politics. Prof. Anamuah-Mensah said as Oguaaman honoured her heroes and celebrated them she should be reminded of the present "unacceptable state" of the area a former capital of Ghana.

"Cape Coast formerly the Mecca of educational development has lost its glitter, many children expected to be in school are found at the beach and market places, parents did not care about their children's education resulting in poor performance in the BECE and other examinations," he added.

Prof. Anamuah-Mensah attributed the challenges of Oguaaman to University of Cape Coast (UCC) and the Polytechnic being the major avenue for employment in the area and lack of industries and collapsing fishing industry.

He therefore, stressed the need for the establishment of a fishing harbour and creation of a fishery department at UCC to help revamp the fishing industry in Oguaaman.

Prof. Anamuah-Mensah, also called for the re-establishment of Mfantsi National Education fund to supplement the GETFUND to support development of education in the area adding" Oguaaman cannot continue to live on its past glories."

Osabarima Kwesi Atta II, Omanhen of Oguaa Traditional Area called on all and sundry, particularly citizens of Cape Coast to make this year's festival a success.

He urged them to contribute towards the development of the area since the 43 chiefs in the area alone could not bring any meaningful development to the more than 250,000 people.

Nana Kodwo Addae II, Chief of Abura and Chairman of the Festival Planning Committee, said 13 people including two institutions that had contributed to the development of Oguaaman would be honoured during the festival.

He said some of them would have their busts erected at the Victoria Park, while some streets would be named after others. Nana Addae announced a ban on drumming and noise making, fishing in the Fosu Lagoon and funerals in the Oguaa traditional area from Tuesday July 31 to Thursday August 16.