Ahantas observe Kundun festival
A group of 27 African-Americans, who trace their ancestry to the Essikado area, came down from the United States to participate in the festival, which seeks to unite the Ahantas with their ancestral heritage and also to renew their commitment to the development of their community.
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Before the Paramount Chief of the traditional area, Nana Kobina Nkestia V, sat in state to receive homage, the African-Americans were taken through the ritual of traditional naming, where all the entourage were given local Fante names by the elders of the royal family.
At about 12:15 pm, a retinue of the chief, the Obaahemaa, Nana Akua Kodu and the elders, appeared in their red and black cloths at the forecourt of the Omanhene’s palace, to signify that, they were in a mourning mood of their ancestors and thus, remembering them.
Among those who graced the occasion were Amanhene from other jurisdictions, the Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE) for Sekondi-Takoradi, Capt(Retd) Anthony Cudjoe, the Western Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Alex Isaac Quianoo, heads of departments, the clergy, assembly members and other dignitaries.
After the Akyeamehene, Kwabena Stephen had performed the libation prayer to invoke the presence of God and the spirits of the ancestors, there were various speeches.
The Akyeamehene said, ‘‘This is our Christmas and so we celebrate and enjoy it. As such, all should participate in the ceremony no matter which church you belong to,’’ adding that, “even the Chairman of the planning committee was a Roman Catholic Father.”
The MCE described the Essikado chief as a great man like his predecessor, who had brought dignity to the kingdom, He said, there was the need to always remember the ancestors through whose sweat and toil the heritage was established.
Alhaji Mustapha Oti Boateng, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Chocho Industries, observed that, in recent times, people were deviating from the good path that was created by the forefathers, stressing that parents should train their children well.
Awulae Annor Adjei III, the Paramount Chief of Western Nzema, advised the people to learn their culture very well such as observing a decent dress code and language, ‘‘Culture is not only about drumming and dancing but also includes knowing one’s language very well, he stated.’’
