Kir Ali Dabre IV: New Greater Accra Bissa Chief outdoored at maiden Sukuma durbar

The Greater Accra Bissa community witnessed a historic moment on Saturday as they officially outdoored their new chief, Naa Salisu Ali Dabre IV, during the inaugural Sukuma festival.

It comes six months after his installation, marking his first public appearance since his investiture ceremony in April.

The colourful event, held at the Alajo Astroturf, drew thousands of attendees eager to welcome their new leader, who recently arrived from the United States, and celebrate their rich cultural heritage.

It was graced by numerous dignitaries, such as chiefs, government officials, and representatives of major political parties, who seized the opportunity to convey their message to the large number of participants present.

As the newly appointed president of the Greater Accra Council of Bissa Chiefs, his presence added significant importance to the occasion.

His formal outdooring marked the beginning of a new era for the Bissa community in Greater Accra, following the passing of his predecessor, the late Dabre Mohammed Ali Dabre III.

The festival, organised by the Greater Accra Bissa Development Association (BDA) under the auspices of the Greater Accra Council of Bissa Chiefs, provided a colourful backdrop for the chief's introduction.

Various Bissa groups took turns to pay homage to Kir Salisu Ali Dabre IV in a vibrant procession, showcasing the community's unity and respect for their new leader.

In his address to the gathering, Shaibu Gutare Zanni, the National Chairman of the BDA, highlighted the significance of the chief's outdooring coinciding with the Sukuma festival. "Today, we not only welcome our new chief but also celebrate our identity as Bissa people in Greater Accra," Zanni stated. He expressed gratitude to the indigenes of Accra for their hospitality, emphasising the Bissa community's commitment to peaceful coexistence.

The event was held under the theme: "Preserving Our Culture and Building Unity to Promote Peace Towards Election 2024—The Role of All Citizens." This theme resonated throughout the ceremony, with Kir Salisu Ali Dabre IV pledging to lead his people in fostering unity and peace, particularly in the lead-up to the 2024 elections.

The Sukuma festival, established in 2022, serves as a platform for Bissa diaspora communities to celebrate their culture. Unlike the annual Zekula festival held in their ancestral homeland of Kulungungu, Sukuma allows Bissa groups outside their traditional territories to organise local gatherings. This flexibility enables the diaspora to maintain strong connections to their heritage while adapting to their new homes.

As the first Sukuma celebration in Greater Accra, and only the third since the festival's inception, the event marked a significant milestone for the Bissa community. It underscored the growing importance of preserving cultural identity for diaspora groups in an increasingly globalised world.

Kir Dabre IV expressed his commitment to unity, saying: "Our community's strength lies in our ability to come together and support one another, especially during crucial times like elections."

The outdooring of Kir Ali Dabre IV at this inaugural Sukuma festival has set a positive tone for his leadership, with the Sukuma becoming an annual affair for the Bissa diaspora.

As the celebrations concluded, there was a palpable sense of renewed cultural pride and community spirit among the attendees. The successful event promises to strengthen the bonds within the Bissa community in Greater Accra for years to come, with their new chief at the helm.