La Youth calls on UG authorities to observe tradition of others

Accra, Oct 3, GNA - The La Youth Association (LAYA) in Accra on Friday said it welcomed the proposed sod-cutting by the Asantehene, at the Mensah Sarbah Hall at the University of the Ghana, Legon but asked the University and Hall Authorities to observe customary protocols agreed upon earlier on the sod-cutting ceremony.

A statement issued in Accra by the Association, signed by Mr Emmanuel S. Sackey, Vice President of the Association, registered its reservations to the University of Ghana's publication of the sod-cutting programme without prior information to the La Traditional Council. The Association said the Executive Committee of the LAYA at an emergency meeting at La on Monday, September 29 with some emissaries of the University of Ghana, led by Mr Kwaku Kyei, former Inspector General of Police, discussed lapses that needed to be corrected before the function went ahead.

The emissaries, the Association said, assured LAYA that they would communicate the concerns to the Manhyia Palace, and would give them a feedback. However, on Wednesday October 1, the Association said it called Mr Kyei on the phone, and he informed them that he had not got any feedback from the Manhyia Palace and that they had made their own arrangements concerning the La Mantse. "Instead of the Asantehene calling on the La Mantse at his Palace at La; the La Mantse should rather come and wait for the Asantehene at the Vice Chancellor's Lodge at the University of Ghana for the two of them to move to the function grounds together".

The Association said it found that an "attempt to trivialise our customs and traditions, and regarded that as an affront to the people of La and the GaDangme State. The Association said the issue was not political, and appealed to the University and the Hall's authorities to make alternative arrangements that would not hurt the Association's sensibilities for the sod-cutting ceremony.