The Minister for Defence, Dominic Aduna Bingab Nitiwul has urged all Konkomba chiefs to revive Guinea Corn and Yam Festivals in their respective areas.
Yam and Guinea Corn festivals are distinct festivals celebrated by the Konkomba people in Ghana. The two festivals are celebrated during different seasons but for some years now, the festivals have not been celebrated.
It is against this background that the Bimbila Member of Parliament appealed to the chiefs and people of Kikpakpang during this year’s Konkomba Youth Association (KOYA) convention held in Saboba on Friday April 2 and Saturday April 3, 2021, to revive the two festivals.
He encouraged all Konkomba chiefs across the country to celebrate these festivals in their respective areas before they are climaxed in Saboba, the traditional home of Konkombas. This, he observed would serve as a platform for Konkombas to keep their tradition alive while sustaining peace and development everywhere Konkombas are in the country.
Mr Nitiwul acknowledged the role KOYA plays in the development of Kikpakpang and said the association needs to be supported to do more.
Mr Nitiwul said, “If you need any support to do your work, we the Konkomba workers will help you to succeed.”
Since its establishment over decades ago, KOYA has championed the development of the Konkomba people not only in the traditional home of Konkombas, Saboba but other parts of the country where Konkombas are. The association has also been at the forefront of conflict resolution in conflicts that involved Konkombas and other tribes.
The minister also encouraged Konkombas to diversify by engaging in businesses and not limit themselves to farming. Though he acknowledged farming is also a business and the fact that government workers also engage in it, enterprising is also an area they should consider venturing into.
Mr Nitiwul appealed to KOYA executives, chiefs and opinion leaders to educate all Konkombas about the importance of population and housing census and the need for them to participate in the exercise this year.
Some of the top Konkomba politicians who attended this year’s KOYA convention included Ghana’s former Ambassador to Angola, Ambassador Moses Bukari Mabengba, former Deputy Chief of Staff under erstwhile NDC administration, Kenneth Wujanji, former MP for Saboba, Charles Bintim, former MP for Kpandai, Mathew Nyindam, MP for Pru West, Stephen Jalulah, MP for Attebubu Amantin, Sanja Nanja, Oti Regional Minister, Joshua Makubu.
Source: A1Radioonline.com|101.1MHz|Ghana