The chiefs and people of Ga Mashie in Accra celebrated their annual Homowo Festival on Saturday, amid the sprinkling of kpokpoi, the traditional food of the Gas, drumming and the firing of muskets.
This year’s festival, which was celebrated in peace, attracted a large number of Gas from Glidgi in Togo.
Sprinkling of kpokpoi
The Nai Wulomo (Chief Priest) of the Ga Traditional Area, Nuumo Akwah Mensah III, was the first to sprinkle the kpokpoi, followed by other chiefs.
The Gbese Mantse, Nii Ayibonte II, led his elders to sprinkle kpokpoi at the Ussher Fort, a heritage site where the remains of some chiefs and elders of the Ga Stool are believed to be kept.
Nii Adama Latse II, the Ga Mantse, sprinkled the traditional food at the Abola Stool House and later at various homes and sacred places.
Many households at Ga Mashie spent the day busily preparing kpokpoi and palm soup for the festivities.
Peaceful election
Speaking with journalists later, Nii Latse appealed to all Gas to vote peacefully in the forthcoming election.
“Ghana is for all of us and we have no place to go should there be any trouble,” he said.
He wished all Gas long life and prosperity and assured them of development and progress during his reign as Ga Mantse.
Osu Traditional Council
Meanwhile, the Osu Traditional Council is to set up a tourism management committee to improve on the tourism potential of the area and create jobs for the citizens, writes Mary Mensah.
The committee will receive directions from the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Arts and the Ghana Tourism Authority as it carries out its duties.
The Paramount Chief of the Osu Traditional Area and President of the Osu Traditional Council, Nii Okwei Kinka Dowuona VI, announced this at the launch of this year’s Homowo Festival for the people of Osu in Accra.
The theme for this year’s Homowo Festival is: “Tourism, a key component in community development.”
It is aimed at broadening the focus of the celebration to expose the tourism potential of the area to both local and foreign participants.
He said aside from the fanfare associated with the festival, the developmental aspect had become imperative.
Activities earmarked
Nii Dowuona said activities earmarked for the celebration of the week-long festival included a Homowo lecture, a health walk, health-screening and clean-up exercises, a cooking contest, a homecoming event and a Miss Osu contest.
The celebration will be climaxed on September 4, 2016 with a church service at the Osu Presbyterian Church.
He said Osu had a lot to showcase for tourism promotion and job creation, such as the Klottey Shrine and the Royal Mausoleum.
Seat of government
“Osu is also blessed to have the seat of government on its land, notably the State House and Parliament House, as well as the Christiansborg Castle, the Accra International Conference Centre, the Accra Sports Stadium, among others.
“We must take advantage of the exposure these edifices bring to develop the area,” he added.
Nii Dowuona appealed to companies operating in the area to support the traditional council in its endeavours to enhance the living conditions of the people.
He called on the residents to work in unity and ensure that peace prevailed for a successful Homowo Festival.
