At the 4th DAMBA Festival celebration, the Gonjaland Youth Association, Bolgatanga Branch, emphasized youth empowerment and cultural preservation. The event, held under the theme “Empowering the Youth, Our Culture, Our Heritage,” highlighted the importance of equipping young people with knowledge, skills, and a strong sense of identity to safeguard Gonja Land’s heritage.
Speaking on behalf of the youth and the Gonja Chief in Bolgatanga, Abubakar Musah-Dey, Vice Chairman of the group, stressed that DAMBA is more than a festival—it is a living expression of the Gonja people’s history, values, unity, and pride.
“DAMBA is more than a festival. It is a living expression of who we are as Gonja people—our history, our values, our unity, and our pride. It reminds us that culture is not something to be remembered only in the past, but a living legacy to be protected, practiced, and passed on to future generations,” he said.
Mr. Abubakar urged stakeholders, including chiefs, parents, and opinion leaders, to support youth development initiatives to ensure the Gonja flame remains vibrant and relevant.
“Our youth are the true custodians of this heritage. When we empower them with knowledge, skills, discipline, and a strong sense of identity, we are safeguarding the soul of Gonja Land. An empowered youth becomes a visionary leader, a bold innovator, and a proud ambassador of our traditions, carrying the essence of our homeland to every corner of the world, just as we do here in the diaspora,” he added.
The association aims to promote youth empowerment, cultural preservation, and community development, aligning with the Gonjaland Youth Association’s broader goals of tackling youth unemployment, cultural decline, and poverty in the Savannah Region.
The Upper East Regional Chief, Imma Sheikh Alhaji Yussif, who graced the event alongside other tribal groups living in Bolgatanga, applauded the Gonjaland Youth Association for using the DAMBA festival to champion youth empowerment.
Source: A1Radioonline.com | 101.1 MHz | David Azure | Bolgatanga
