The Paramount Chief of the Abola Traditional Council and Ga State Atofotse, Nii Ahene Nunoo III has called for peace, unity and cooperation among the people of Ga State, particularly urging the youth not to allow themselves to be used by chiefs or other individuals to foment division and chaos.
He made the appeal on Saturday, August 8, in Accra, during the sprinkling of Kpokpoi, an important traditional ritual that forms part of activities marking the annual Homowo festival.
He said his primary concern was the growing potential for division among the people and particularly appealed to the youth to resist attempts by traditional leaders to use them for activities that could create conflict.
Instead, he said, young people should recognise that their energy and influence should be directed towards building a peaceful and prosperous society.
"My message on this occassion is to call for peace and unity among the Ga State. I keep talking about unity among the Ga State because of course, we need to be united. We need to unite."
"My focus is on the youth in the Ga State, that they should not allow chiefs in the state to use them for activities which only breed division and chaos," he said.
Harmonious relations
Nii Ahene Nunoo III, in the company of his Queenmother, Naa Okaitsoe IV, emphasized that the development and continued success of the Ga people depend on unity and harmonious relations among the various traditional authorities and communities.
He mentioned that no interest or disagreement should be allowed to undermine peace and called on other chiefs to continue to live and work together peacefully and to place the development and welfare of their people above divisions.
“We cannot trade peace for anything. Divided we fall, united we stand. Peace should not be sacrificed for any reason, because division weakens the people while unity gives them strength to pursue their collective aspirations."
He added that as the Ga people remember the hardships of their ancestors and celebrate overcoming hunger through Homowo, his message calls for a similar spirit of resilience and togetherness in confronting contemporary challenges — with chiefs and citizens working together to preserve peace, unity and development across Ga State.
Preserving culture
The Kpokpoi sprinkling event provided an opportunity for traditional leaders and the wider community to come together and observe customs that have been handed down through generations.
The ceremony is referred to in the ritual context as “akpiti, akpɔtɔ ni ashwa.” The ritual involves taking the Kpokpoi, mixing it with palm-nut soup and sprinkling the mixture as part of the ceremonial observance.
By morning last Saturday, communities across Ga State were already alive with singing, drumming and jubilation, creating the atmosphere associated with the Homowo celebration.
As custom demands, by afternoon, Nii Ahene Nunoo III sat with his kingsmen at Abola Piam to receive the Ga Mantse, Nii Tackie Teiko Tsuru III, who performed the sacred Kpokpoi sprinkling ritual at selected clan houses.
Abola Dsasetse, Nii Akrong Adzeshie IV, explained that the visit of the Ga Mantse to Abola during the ritual is an established tradition that has been observed for generations.
He said the Ga Mantse begins the ritual by moving from one clan house to another with his entourage to perform the Kpokpoi sprinkling. After visiting Abola and carrying out the ritual there, the Abola Mantse subsequently begins his own procession through the clan houses under his authority.
"The Abola Mantse is responsible for visiting the 26 houses under his jurisdiction. His procession begins at Abola Kpatashie Family House and proceeds through the various houses, eventually ending at Teiko Tsuru Family House."
"The completion of this journey has its own symbolic significance. At the final house, the Abola Mantse washes his hands, marking the end of the Kpokpoi sprinkling ritual for his traditional area," Nii Akrong Adzeshie IV explained.
Strengthening ancestral ties
Obaatan (father and elder of the state) of the Abura Traditional Area in the Central Region, Nana Kwame Tsipo Amanfo VIII called for stronger cooperation between the Abura and Abola traditional authorities, citing their shared ancestral history and cultural heritage.
Nana Kwame Tsipo Amanfo VIII, who was the special guest of honour, said the people of Abola in Accra and the Abura Traditional Area are historically connected, explaining that the Abola people migrated from Abura many years ago.
He said efforts to trace and reconnect the two traditional areas had been successful, with the relationship being formally renewed about six months ago.
The renewed connection, he said, provides an opportunity for both sides to rediscover and strengthen their shared traditions and cultural practices.
According to him, the engagement is significant because it will enable the two traditional areas to share cultural knowledge, strengthen their ancestral bonds and exchange ideas on development.
Nana Tsipo Amanfo VIII commended the Paramount Chief of the Abura State, Emintsinminim Nana Otu XI, for his efforts to reconnect the two traditional authorities and promote collaboration.
Other activities
This year's observance began on Thursday with the arrival of “Soo bii” which refers to the return home of family members from various satellite villages on Thursday.
The "Soo bii" returned to the city carrying foodstuffs for the celebration. Their first major gathering point is CMB in Accra, where members of the community met the returning relatives and helped bring the foodstuffs home.
Friday was observed as the Yam Festival, known as “Haajii Yɛlɛ Yeli”, a celebration for twins throughout the Ga State last Friday.
Last Saturday was dedicated to the sprinkling of Kpokpoi, which is a particularly important ritual in the Homowo cycle and takes precedence in the traditional observance.
Notable among the attendees were the Obaatan (father/elder of the state) of the Abura Traditional Area in the Central Region, Nana Kwame Tsipo Amanfo VIII, who was the special guest of honour, Abura Nyinfahene, Nana Budukuma V, Abura Paramount Queenmother, Naa Otua Osaanii I, Abola Shianye, Naa Wansah Namoale I, Abola Oblayei Amanye, Naa Ayawa Niiatse I and Abola Dzasenye, Naa Dedei Ojalawa I.
