Tamale, Nov. 26, GNA - Two ethnic play-mates, the Grunies (Frafras) and Dagaabas at the weekend organised unity fun games at the Bagabaga Training College grounds in the Tamale Metropolis of the Northern Region.
At stake for the ultimate trophy are a puppy and a dog head to signify the everlasting friendship between the two ethnic tribes from the Upper East and Upper West to rekindle their ancestral lineage. The two groups competed in youth soccer, women soccer and soccer for the senior citizens. The others are sack race, egg and spoon race and tug-of-war for both sexes.
The games were on the theme: "Sustaining peace and friendship among ethnic communities."
Grunie is the official ethnic name of the people of Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region who are known and called the "Frafras" by the first white settlers in the area, which has now been unofficially accepted by all in the country.
Ironically, the people of Navrongo some of whom speak Kassem and Nankani are referred to as Kassenas and also rather called Gurunshies with some of their neighours sharing borders with the Sissalas in the Upper West Region while the Dagaabas are Dagartis from the Upper West Region with common ancestors.
It is perceived in the north that the Grunies (Frafras) and Dagaabas are the great consumers of dog meat and often compete at dog meat joints for the delicacy, hence the unity games with the dog as the ultimate prize.
It was all fun at the park when the two ethnic groups competed for honours but it was the Grunies (Frafras) who took the ultimate price of the puppy to presented in the next fun games.
The Grunies defeated the Dagaabas in youth soccer 1-0, women soccer 1-0 and soccer for senior citizens 1-0 while the Dagaabas won the women and the men's tug-of-war and sack race. The price for egg and spoon race went to the Grunies.
Mr Issah Ketekewu, the Deputy Northern Regional Minister in a speech after presentation of the puppy trophy to the Grunsies called on other tribes in the region to emulate the Grunsies (Frafra) and Dagaabas to promote lasting unity in the north.
He said there were similar unity and peace games between the Kassenas, Gonjas and Sissalas as well as Moshies and Dagombas but unfortunately the good intentions of the games had collapsed and called on the various ethnic groups to ensure their revival to ensure the people lived in harmony.
Mr Ketekewu said the three Northern Regions were un-developed and it was therefore necessary that combined their efforts through peace and unity so that investors will willingly relocate to the north to generate employment for the youth. Dr. Elias Sory, Northern Regional Director of Health Services, a Dagaaba praised the two groups for reviving the games at a time that the health sector was promoting physical exercise to ensure good health of the people.
He advised the ethnic groups to sustain the games and embark on regular body exercises to improve their health status and advised them to fully patronise the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). 26 Nov. 06
