Nii Adjabeng Ankrah II, the traditional ruler of the Otublohum-Ga traditional area, has issued a powerful call for peace and unity as the Ga State and the Ga Dangbe people celebrate the Homowo Festival.
In an exclusive interview with Frontline on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, the Dade Ban-Naa leader stressed that the festival is a time for deep reflection and communal solidarity.
“It is important that traditional rulers and stakeholders in the Ga State work together to ensure that the season will be one of peace, reflection, cultural pride, and most importantly, unity among our people,” Nii Adjabeng II stated.
The Homowo Festival, which means “hooting at hunger,” is a significant historical event for the Ga people. It marks a time of harvest and communal solidarity, rooted in the traditions of their ancestors.
However, Nii Adjabeng II highlighted a key challenge facing the Ga State: a lack of unity among its traditional leaders. He believes this disunity undermines efforts to achieve peace, stability, and development in their communities.
“We have allowed greed, selfishness, and personal interests to divide us as a people. We are praying to our ancestors to imbibe in us the spirit of unity and togetherness so that we can return to the era where they stayed united and developed the Ga State,” he lamented. “I am therefore praying to the Supreme Being to unite the Ga State and the Ga Dangbe so that we will make progress and develop. We have to achieve this so that the next generation of young people will learn from our example.”
A Call to the Youth: Eschew Illicit Drugs and Social Vices
In addition to his call for unity, Nii Adjabeng II advised the youth to stay away from illicit drugs and other social vices.
He expressed alarm at the rising use of hard drugs, particularly a popular substance known as “red,” and urged traditional leaders to implement measures to address this growing problem.
“I will encourage the young people in the Ga State to eschew all forms of social vice and the use of hard drugs since there are serious consequences in engaging in such practices,” he stressed.
“Our young people must be responsible and learn from their elders and set good examples for the next generation. As traditional leaders, we have to do our best in dealing with the rise in drug use in our various traditional areas.”
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
