Aburihene climaxes colourful Odwira festival with calls for environmental protection

The people of Aburi in the Eastern Region have marked the grand durbar of the annual Aburi Adonten Odwira festival with a vibrant celebration of their rich cultural heritage and history.

The event, held in Aburi over the weekend, drew dignitaries, traditional rulers, government officials, and thousands of locals and visitors, all gathered to witness and partake in the magnificence of Akuapem culture.

Celebrated on the theme, “Our culture, our environment, our future,’ this year’s

Aburi Adonten Odwira festival, celebrated with deep reverence and festive enthusiasm, showcased the colourful traditions and age-old customs that define the identity of the Akuapem people.

The festival, one of Ghana’s most cherished cultural events, commemorates the victory over the Ashantis in 1826, uniting the community in pride and cultural expression, showcasing and highlighting Akuapem’s vibrant heritage.

Through music, dance, storytelling, and rituals, the people of Aburi remember the courage and resilience of their ancestors.

In a procession marked by the rhythmic beats of drums, symbolic dances, and the display of traditional attire, chiefs, and clan heads led the way to the durbar grounds.

Adorned in Royal Kente cloths and traditional regalia, they were accompanied by enthusiastic crowds singing and dancing in unison.

Cultural dances, took center stage as drummers and dancers filled the air with an electric energy, captivating onlookers with the vibrancy of their performances.

The Aburihene, who presided over the grand durbar, welcomed dignitaries and guests with a call for peace and unity.

In his address, Otoobuor Djan Kwasi II, advocated for enhanced road safety measures, environmental protection, and sustainable development, emphasizing the importance of preserving the environment and natural resources.

The chief appealed to all and sundry to stand against illegal mining, prioritizing community welfare and adhering to laws protecting the environment.

Otoobuor Djan Kwasi called for a face lift of the iconic Aburi Gardens to serve its recreational purpose. He also called for the allocation of portions of revenue generated from the site to the local authorities for the development of the Aburi community.

“No revenue from the Aburi Gardens comes to the traditional council,” said the traditional leader. “It goes into government coffers even though it’s in our community, the community must also benefit from the revenue.”

Even though most roads in the area have been given some facelift, he nevertheless called for the fixing of the remaining deplorable roads in the area.

The Aburi area has been spared the galamsey menace devastating various parts of the country.

However, the chief expressed regret over the spate of illegal mining activities across the Eastern Region and the country and called for urgent steps to address the menace.

Otoobuor Djan Kwasi II also bemoaned the spate of child waywardness in the area and charged parents to ensure the proper upbringing of their wards to guarantee a secure future for them.

Ahead of next month’s general elections, the Aburihene urged the people to exercise their franchise peacefully and devoid of violence.

Chair of the occasion and Gyasehene of the New Juaben Tradition Area, Nana Gyasi Dankwa charged individuals who find themselves in leadership positions to respect their subordinates

“Whether you are a Paramount Chief, Divisional Chief, an MP, a Minister of State, a Bishop, whoever you are, you’ll not live with that position forever, somebody else will inherit it…as a leader, you must be flexible with those under you,” he told the gathering, adding that support for their subordinates was key to enable them take up the mantle in their absence.

As the country prepares for the 2024 elections, he charged the populace to eschew violence but embrace peace to ensure a successful electoral process next month.

He praised the Aburihene for ensuring peace in the Akuapem area.

Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Akuapem-South, Frank Aidoo outlined various government interventions in the area including classroom blocks for basic and senior high schools, an education office, dormitory blocks, a hostel facility, places of convenience, water facilities, a court facility, fire service post, immigration office, streetlighting for enhanced security, electrification projects, youth empowerment, an ongoing astro turf project, roads, amongst others.

He assured the people of enhanced security measures ahead of the 2024 general elections and encouraged the electorate to ensure peace before, during and after the 2024 elections.

Member of Parliament (MP) for the area, Mr. O.B. Amoah on his part, assured the chiefs and people that plans were far advanced for the remaining untarred roads in the area to receive the necessary facelift.

According to him, electricity supply to communities without electricity supply was imminent with the installation of transformers in the affected areas.