Moslems Celebrate Damba Festival in Upper East Region

Bolgatanga, May 2, GNA - Moslems mainly from the Dagomba, Wala, Mamprusi and Gonja ethnic groups in the Bolgatanga Municipality of the Upper East Region on Tuesday, celebrated the Dmaba festival with a call on Ghanaians to champion the cause of peace and unity for the accelerated development of the nation.

The call was contained a in speech read on behalf of Mrs Hazara Chirga Bawa, Chairperson of the Tiyumba Women's Association, the organisers of the festival.

She urged Ghanaians to work hard to maintain the current peace and unity in the country.

Mrs. Bawa appealed to political party leaders to conduct their campaigns without insults and rancour, especially in the forthcoming 2008 Presidential and Parliamentary elections.

"We must learn lessons and take stock of what happened in Nigeria during their recent election, leading to the death of about 200 people. Such a situation must be avoided in Ghana", she added. Mrs. Bawa appealed to Moslems to take advantage of the introduction of the Capitation Grant and the School Feeding Programme to enrol their children to become responsible.

She urged the Moslem Community to register for the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to get access to quality and affordable health care.

Explaining some of the objectives of the Tiyumba Women's Association, Mrs. Bawa said it was aimed at uniting all Dagomba Women in the Bolgatanga Municipality and the Upper East Region. It was also meant to help revive Dagomba Culture and to collaborate with similar Associations to ensure the development of the Region. The Damba festival is celebrated in Northern Ghana and also in Zongo communities every year to mark the birthday of the Holy Prophet of Islam, Mohammed.