Commit to peaceful elections - Aburihene urges stakeholders

The Adontenhene of Akuapem Traditional Council, Otoobour Djan Kwasi II, has urged all stakeholders to put their best foot forward to safeguard the country’s peace during and after this year’s general election.

Addressing the chiefs and people of Aburi in the Eastern Region at the 2024 Akuapem Adonten Odwira Festival last Saturday, he explained that a process to select preferred leaders to steer the affairs of the country for the next four years should inspire hope and not disrupt the tranquillity being enjoyed by Ghanaians.

“We all know the political parties we want to vote for among the two major political parties --- the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and National Democratic Congress (NDC).

“And so, on election day vote for your preferred candidate on the ballot. There cannot be any dispute or disagreements in just this process to select a preferred leader,” Otoobour Djan Kwasi, who is also the Aburihene, said.

The climax of the Odwira Festival celebrated by the chiefs and people of the Adonten Division of the Akuapem Traditional Area also marked the 36th anniversary of the Aburihene’s reign.

On the theme: "Our culture, our environment, our future," the festival sought to promote the people’s cultural heritage, environmental sustainability and a brighter future for all.

It brought together chiefs, government officials and other dignitaries such as the Minister of State at the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development, Osei Bonsu Amoah; the Chief Executive of the Akuapem South Municipal Assembly, Frank Aidoo;  the NPP parliamentary aspirant, Eric Apeadu Yeboah; and the NDC parliamentary candidate for Akuapem South, Lawrencia Dziwornu.

The colourful event was characterised by the blowing of horns, chanting of war songs and some exciting dance moves that portrayed the rich culture of the people of Aburi.

Appeal  

The Aburihene appealed to the government to upgrade the Aburi Botanical Gardens to meet international standards and restore its former glory.

He said the Gardens had lost its value and pride due to years of neglect by successive governments, inadequate maintenance and inefficient managerial practices.

He said the government should also focus on developing the Dome-Kitase, Adamorobe and other adjoining roads in the municipality to help boost tourism and productivity in general.

Commendation

Otoobour Djan, however, commended the government for the various interventions, particularly the Free Senior High School (SHS) Policy and the redevelopment of the district hospital.

He encouraged parents to capitalise on the policy by enrolling their children in school, emphasising that students must also work hard to reap the benefits of the investment in their education.

Dome-Kitase Road

Mr Amoah, who is the outgoing Member of Parliament for the Akuapem South Constituency, stated that the government had instructed the contractor to return to site for construction works on the project to the start on the Dome-Kitase Road.

He said the delay in the Dome-Kitase Road project was due to a disruption in funding from the Kuwait government.

“However, both the Minister of Finance and the Chief Director of the Ministry of Finance have promised to bring back the contractor to start construction on the road to make it motorable,” he added.