Adinkra award for Kufuor

Ex-President John Agyekum Kufuor is to receive a special award from the Suma Traditional Council in the Jaman North District of the Brong-Ahafo Region on March 19, 2016.

The award, named Suma State Adinkra Award, is expected to be handed over to the statesman at a grand durbar to climax this year’s Suma Akwantu Kese Festival.

It is in recognition of President Kufuor’s tremendous contribution to the development of the Suma area and across the country when he served as President of the Republic from 2001 to 2009.

The announcement of ex-President Kufuor’s award was made at his residence in Accra by the Omanhene of the Suma Traditional Area, Odeneho Dr Affram Brempong III, when he paid a courtesy call on the former President in the company of a team of 20 divisional chiefs and queens.

According to the Omanhene, the Suma State Adinkra Award was instituted in honour of King Adinkra of Gyaman who invented the philosophical Adinkra symbols.

He said the role that the late Gyaman king played in originating the Adinkra symbols is very significant as it shows the contribution of Africa to the world of creativity and philosophy. He expressed worry that nothing had been done to honour the memory of the late king.

“In order not to repeat the mistake we have made in not recognising the role of our forebears, including my late uncle King Adinkra, we have instituted this award to acknowledge the devoted services and pragmatic leadership of contemporary leaders and servants of our country and humanity,” the chief emphasised.

.

Odeneho Affram Brempong III thanked President Kufuor on behalf of the people of his traditional area, noting that the people of Suma would always be grateful to the former President for his development interventions in the area.

“Mr President, those who claim not to have seen your contribution to this country’s development may say what they like but those of us of the Suma Traditional Area know the water situation before you came to power and the massive improvement you made in that sector and many others. We are grateful to you,” the chief said.

The Akwantu Kese Festival, according to the chief, aims at commemorating the journey of the Suma and Gyaman people from their ancestral home in Akwamu in present day Eastern Region centuries ago.

Among the dignitaries invited to the festival are eminent traditional rulers in Ghana and in the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire, including His Majesty Nana Kwasi Adinkra Agyemang, the Gyamanhene, also known as Bonohene of the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire.

On his part, President Kufuor expressed appreciation for the chief’s recognition of his contribution to his area and Ghana.

Meanwhile, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential candidate, Nana Akufo-Addo, has been invited as the Special Guest of Honour for the Adinkra Durbar of the Akwantu Kese Festival.