The traditional authority of Manya Krobo Traditional Area and the 2019 Ngmayem Planning Committee say preparations are far underway for this year’s traditional festival.
In a meeting held at Asesewa, the capital of the Upper Manya Krobo District on Friday, NeneTettey-Ku Gbadadji I who sat in for Nene Sackitey II told the Dadematseme, union as well as civil society organization leaders, there is nobody apart from Nene Sackitey II, the paramount chief of Manya Krobo that can call off the annual food festival of the people of Manya Krobo, Ngmayem.
Nene Asada Ahoor IV, addressing the gathering; In the seat is Nene Tettey-Ku Gbadadji I
He added that despite recent elements of disunity and divisions in the area, Ngmayem 2019 will be celebrated nevertheless.
The Ngmayem festival is the King’s festival with a unique tradition, bequeathed to the people through successful celebrations, keeping the religious and cultural aspects just as it used to be.
Some residents of Odumase Krobo including chiefs, Dade Matseme, elders and members from five divisions of Manya Krobo had demonstrated in 2018, against their paramount chief (Konor) calling on him to call off the traditional festival since there is ‘no unity’ between him and his sub-chiefs.
The demonstrators were mainly from Dorm, Manya, Suisi, Piengua and Akwenor
However, the Chiefs and People of the Manya Krobo Traditional Area have on July 5, launched the 2019 Ngmayem festival with a call on the people to unite in the interest of the development of the area.
Nene Asada Ahor IV, chief of Akuse who doubles as the Public Relation Officer (PRO) for the Traditional Council, while addressing the meeting underscored the need for Kroboland to unite and also urged the people to approach the traditional authorities with any difficulties they might encounter for the necessary resolution and not resort to slurring the image of the Traditional Council.
This, he observed was the best way towards enhancing unity and development since public attacks in his opinion was tantamount to disgracing, not just the Manya Krobo paramouncy but Kroboland as a whole.
The theme for this year’s festival, is “Culture, the bedrock for promoting unity and development”. It is schedule to take 21st October and end 27th October, 2019 with thank giving church service at Lasi Park.
The secretary for the planning committee, Mr. Nartey Wakemer, announced activities lined up for the festival, as including a Church Service, cleanup exercise, games, Durbar of chiefs and people, holding of a Miss Yokama, a health walk and the performance of traditional rites by the Asafo companies to invoke their gods in preparation for the festival, visit to royal mausoleum and ancestral home on Wednesday and Thursday respectively.
Reviving Left to Die Traditional Food, Music and Dance
Mr. Tetteh Akunyumu of Akunyumu Missions and Holdings and Mr. Winfred Appo, a culture development enthusiast at Manya Krobo are poised to revive some interesting Krobo traditional drumming, music and foods that are left to die over the years.
One of such dances whose re-introduction will be keenly contested at Ghc 2, 500 for a winner and Ghc1, 500 and Ghc1, 000 for first and second runners-up respectively is Kpatsa. Registration is currently ongoing at a cost of Ghc100.
Registration and Certification of Chiefs (Dadematseme)
The Traditional Council of Manya Krobo is making all the necessary arrangements to register and issue certificate to all sub chiefs known as dade matse in local dialect.
Ngmayemi 2019 Festival Clothe
This, Nene Tettey-Ku Gbadadji I said, will take effect from January 2020, all things being equal.
Suggestions and Contributions
Dade Matse Teye Gaga, chief for Sisiamang suggested to the planning committee that, labelling in the form of statues illustrating the ancestral homes of the six clans or divisions of the Manya Krobo is necessary for the branding of the festival.
This according to him, would attract the youth to visits the Krobo mounting, not only for fun, but for learning or academic purposes.
Ngmayem 2019 Planning Committee Members
In attendance are Mr. Samadji Partey and his planning committee members, Nene Asada Ahor IV, Nene Asafoatse Tettey-Ku Gbadadji I, Okyeame Kofi Osanyengmor, Mr. Tetteh Akunyumu, businessman, Manye Korkor, Market Queen mother and some previous winners of Yokama
Source: ritefmonline.org
