Chiefs in Winneba hold durbar to mark Aboakyre festival

Winneba (C/R), May 8, GNA - The Central Regional Minister, Madam Ama Benyiwa-Doe has called on the people in Winneba to bury their differences and embrace peace towards the development of the area. She said it is only when there is peace that investors and other developers could invest in the area to better the lot of the people. Madam Benyiwa-Doe made the call at a durbar of chiefs to run-off activities of the 2011 Aboakyre festival of the Effutu Traditional Area in Winneba on Saturday.

The theme for celebration was "Reconciliation for development". She said the Aboakyre festival has attained local and international recognition and must be celebrated devoid of misunderstandings and troubles.


She emphasised the need for the people in the region to join hands to ensure that central region becomes the leading tourist attraction in the nation.


The Tuafo Asafo Company brought the first catch of a live Deer to the durbar grounds at 12.05 noon for Nana Bondzie II, head of Otuano Royal family who deputised for the Omanhene to step on it to declare its acceptance for customs and traditions.

Nana Bondzie in his address, extended a special tribute to the Winneba Peace Initiative, a Non- Governmental Organisation (NGO) and those who contributed towards a peaceful celebration of the festival. The Member of Parliament in the area and Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Mr Mike Hammah appealed to his people to sacrifice and let the development of the area be their priority.


The Tufuhene, who is the traditional head of the two Asafo Companies in the town, Nana Otubua Siripi said chiefs as custodians of the traditional heritage of their people, would do everything possible to facilitate and enhance the government's development for the traditional area.


The Mayor of a visiting Charlottesville-USA, delegation in the Effutu Municipality, Mayor Norris, expressed their appreciation to the people for the hospitality given them and promised to help promote the festival to an international level.