The Supreme Head of the Manste Ankrah Royal Family, Otubluhum Dadebana Naa Nii Adjabeng Ankrah II, has underscored the need for the Ghanaian public to respect the traditions of the Ga and stop making derogatory remarks about the ban on drumming and noisemaking.
He explained that the restrictions as part of the ban include a ban on loud music, drumming, and other activities like hand clapping.
He stated categorically that residents, visitors, and institutions are to respect this traditional practice, which promotes social harmony and mutual respect.
Nii Adjabeng Ankrah II, it has become a challenge in recent times that some persons have refused to respect the traditions of the Ga State, and it was about time these things ended.
When comparing the Executive, he stated that the President is responsible for appointing appointees who are in charge of maintaining law and order in the country, which is similar to the taskforce tasked with ensuring that the noisemaking ban is followed.
‘’Our traditional leaders are not being respected, and our cultural practices and customs are being disregarded in recent times. How can we live in our jurisdiction and have people disregard our traditions? It was about time we united the Ga State as traditional leaders, worked together and ensured that discipline was maintained in the Ga State. The Ga State, or Ga Adangbe, is our pride, and we must protect it.
I do not want to make any comparison, but take a careful look at Kumasi and the level of respect given to any form of directive issued to the Asante Kingdom. You dare not disregard such directives, but people do not want to respect the Ga State. Enough is enough. This time around, people must be made to respect our traditions or face the consequences,’’ he declared.
He then challenged pastors and other religious leaders who had referred to the ban on noisemaking and the Homowo festival as fetish practices, claiming that these sacred rites and traditions date back centuries and are even recognised by holy books.
”Christians can attest that the practice of pouring libation has biblical roots. Some churchgoers, when faced with difficulties, are often advised to reconnect with their heritage and seek solace through traditional sacred rites, including libation. These practices do not inherently render our traditions fetishistic. Similarly, Ramadan observances by Muslims are not described as fetishistic. If such labeling occurs, it would be logical to reassess land purchases for churches and mosques in our state, given our customary practices preceding such developments.”
He disclosed that the ban on drumming is an important exercise, and if not done, then the celebration of Homowo would have to be suspended for a period of eight years.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
