Joy Industries wows dozens @ Odwira

Joy Industries Limited producers of Joy Dadi Bitters which is affectionately known by its teeming patrons as JD has become topic for discussion in Suhum and its environs after the celebration of this year’s Odwira festival.

The festival which was on the theme: “15 years of Quality, Dedicated and Decisive leadership: The role of Traditional Authority” was climaxed last Saturday with a mega street jams put together by Joy Industries Limited producers of the local bitters, Joy Dadi as the official drink to the festival.

The festival, which coincided with the 15 years celebration of Osabarima Ayeh Kofi I as the chief of the area, has been tagged by patrons of festivals as the mother of all Odwira festivals ever organized by the chief, elders and people of Suhum since the inception of the annual celebrations.

Apart from presentation of both cheque and products from Joy Industries Limited, management brought arrays of captains in the art and entertainment industry including a veteran hiplife artiste, Kwabena Otchere Darko popularly known in showbiz as Obrafour.

The rest include the dancehall King in Ghana Shatta Wale, Kakie, dancehall Queen, Sidney, D 2, Gasmela (International fisherman) Pope Skinny, up and coming young star Tutulapato amidst comedians like Bob Okala and a host of radio presenters, Koo Ofori, DJ Willie and Efo of Adom FM fame and Adjoa Smart.

Many residents in Koforidua, Suhum and their environs initially did not believe the Live Presenter Mention (LPM) and jingles played on BRYT 99.1 FM a Koforidua private based Radio Station currently on text transmission and owned by Joy Industries Limited of the array of stars coming to the programme.

The radio station on Saturday around 9 am was besieged by music lovers just to catch a glimpse of their music idols when news went round that they were passing through the station to Suhum where the event would take place and also pay homage to the chief of the area, Osabarima Ayeh Kofi I.

Activities of the festival were forced to stop for a moment when news went round that management of Joy Industries Limited and the artists have arrived at the durbar grounds where the climax of the festival was taken place at about 3: 40 pm to pay homage to the chief of Suhum.

Everything became a standstill as the thick gathering cheer on their music idols who until that day have not seen them one on one but on either television or hear their voices on radio.

There was no place to stand in the capital of Suhum municipality in the night when the artists mounted the stage to thrill the people of the area and its environs with their various songs amidst cheers and merrymaking.

Throwing light on what motivated them to spend huge sums of money to bring these artists and comedians to Suhum Odwira festival to performed free and to entertain their patrons, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and his deputy Dr. Manfred Takyi and Harrison Tetteh respectively said the important role festivals play in reconciling families, communities and promoting activities which enable development cannot be underestimated and again it time also to give back to the community apart from the physical investments they have undertook to help the community.

The leaders of the award winning company of herbal product of the year 2013/2014 for the outstanding quality of two of their products, thus, joy soap and ointment reiterated that the preservation of our cultural heritage is recognition of the necessity of the past and the things that reinforce our sense of identity.

They further said cultural heritage is a legacy that has been inherited from the past and imperative that it is maintained and further passed on to generations yet to come.

They have therefore called on Ghanians to reaffirm their loyalties to the traditional administrative set up and patch up misunderstandings among families and communities as well entreated Ghanians to promote peace and unity devoid of proclamations and issues that would divide us.

Meanwhile, management of the company presented a cheque and quantities of their various products from the company to the chiefs at a short ceremony at Suhum.

Addressing a thick crowd at the usual Suhum lorry park, the chief of Suhum Osabarima Ayeh Kofi I thanked residents and other stakeholders in and outside the area for their support towards the development of the area.

He charged people of the traditional area to collectively put their efforts together towards the development of the area since government alone cannot do all and also called for unity leading to rekindling the spirit of patriotism.

Osabarima Ayeh Kofi I further called on residents both home and abroad to put their shoulders to the development wheel of the area to lift the economic and social image of the traditional area as well as offering their human and resource support towards the construction of a befitting palace.

The chief of Suhum continued that, Suhum is a strategic town considering its geographical location and would therefore be imperative that, residents of the area positioned themselves to use the advantages in the area to advance their lives.

Even though he acknowledged the challenges as a chief in the area, he expressed his gratitude to God for the abundance of grace and mercy for these 15 years enstoolment and promised to effectively work with all stakeholders in the town to bring accelerated socio-economic development.

That notwithstanding, Osabarima Ayeh Kofi launched a passionate appeal to the government to help see to the completion of the Accra-Suhum-Kumasi road, as well as the Municipal Assembly to improve upon the lighting situation of the town.

This year’s celebration was colorfully attended by people from all walks of life including politicians, clergy, Imams among others with its matching display of heritage and culture. Meanwhile, the artists in turns paid glowing tribute to management of Joy Industries Limited for putting together this big show for a local company to bring together arrays of star to a free show of this nature.

According to them, this event was one of the biggest outdoor festival events they have ever witnessed in recent time and also thanked the crowd for behaving well throughout the programme.