Osu to mark Homowo festival in grand style

Nii Okwei Kinka Dowuona VI, Osu Mantse says this year's Homowo festival celebration would be done in a "grand style" because for the first time in five years, the Traditional Area was free of litigation.

"The Homowo festival in the area has been characterised by chaos and misunderstanding in the past but everything has been resolved now," he said.

In an interview with the Ghana News Agency, Nii Dowuona said, this year's Homowo celebration was going to be a home-coming event adding, "we expect all Osu indigenes to come from far and near."

He stressed that it was important for the public to know that "Osu has no litigation anymore. Osu has one chief who has been properly gazetted both traditionally and statutorily".

Touching on chieftaincy disputes within the country, Nii Dowuona said the only way to solve them was to strengthen the chieftaincy institution to deal effectively.

"Chieftaincy is a sacred institution. It is the heart and soul of the community. King-makers should have the well-fare of their communities at heart," he said.

The Osu Mantse appealed to politicians to be circumspect in their utterances as the country approached Presidential elections.

"We only have one Ghana and we are the only ones who can make peace work in this country," he said.

Nii Dowuona urged the youth not to allow themselves to be incited into violence

"Listen carefully to the politicians and vote for the one who you believe could best manage the country, but bear in mind that your duty to the country, is to promote peace and ensure that there is unity and progress."

The Traditional Area would launch the Homowo festival on August 27 and hold activities such as donations, sporting activities and street carnivals to mark it.

Activities marking the festival would be brought to an end on September 9, with a non-denominational thanks giving service.**