The Okuapemhene, Oseadeeyo Kwasi Akuffo, has called on traditional leaders, the youth and residents of Akuapem to uphold peace and respect the customs and traditions associated with the Odwira Festival as the traditional area prepares to celebrate Odwira @ 200.
The Okuapemhene made the call when he visited the Akuapem Gyase Division at Adawso as part of his Nkabom Tour of the Akuapem Traditional Area ahead of the bicentenary celebration of the Odwira Festival.
Addressing the gathering, Oseadeeyo Kwasi Akuffo urged all traditional leaders and residents to respect the Odwira rites and ensure that the celebration is conducted in accordance with the customs and traditions of Akuapem.
He also appealed to the youth to desist from using social media to create tension between the Akuapem Traditional Council and the Ga Mantse and his people.
According to the Okuapemhene, there is no misunderstanding between him and the Ga Mantse, stressing that peace must prevail between the two traditional areas.
Oseadeeyo Kwasi Akuffo explained that the main purpose of his Nkabom Tour was to engage the people, listen to their concerns and identify ways of addressing challenges affecting their communities to promote socio-economic development in Akuapem.
As part of his commitment to improving education in the area, the Okuapemhene pledged to support the construction of a secondary school in Adawso to provide greater educational opportunities for the youth.
Nana Osim Kwatia II, Amonokrom Gyasehene, described the Okuapemhene’s visit as a royal homecoming that celebrates centuries of shared heritage, kingship and loyalty.
He said the predecessors of the traditional leadership had made significant contributions to the development of the community, particularly through the promotion of education and Christianity.
Nana Osim Kwatia II assured the Okuapemhene of the community’s continued loyalty to the Ofori Stool and expressed their readiness to support initiatives aimed at advancing the development of Akuapem.
The Municipal Chief Executive for Akuapem North Municipality, Hon. Evans Kimodzi, disclosed that the government is undertaking a number of projects to improve infrastructure and social services in the municipality.
He said 20 CHPS compounds have been constructed and are expected to be commissioned by September to improve access to healthcare in communities across the municipality.
The MCE also disclosed that two KG blocks have been constructed as part of efforts to improve the quality of basic education.
Hon. Evans Kimodzi further assured residents that all legacy projects inherited by the current government would be completed to ensure that communities benefit fully from ongoing development initiatives.
By George Botha