Queen’s Relay Baton ends in Ho
The third and final day of the Queen’s Relay Baton in Ghana to signal the commencement of the Commonwealth Games slated for Glasgow, Scotland, in August took a royal twist last Sunday.
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The Baton, after savouring much glory in Accra among Ghanaians, toured some palaces in parts of the Eastern and Volta regions.
The first port of call of the Baton was New Akrade in the Asuogyaman district in the Eastern Region. It was welcomed by Nana Okrukata V, who walked with it for a few minutes before handing it over to the Queenmother of New Akrade, Nana Samako, who trooped with the Baton and handed it over to the Member of Parliament for Asuogyaman, Osei-Kofi Ameyaw.
The MP also covered some distance with the Baton through the streets of Atimpoku and handed it over to Nana Ofei-Boadu I, Akwamuman-Tufuhene, who crossed the Adomi Bridge from where the contingent escorting the decorated cudgel trekked to Akwamufie and presented the Baton to the paramount chief of the Akwamu State, Odeneho Kwafo Akoto III, who hosted a durbar in honour of the Queen’s Relay Baton.
Odeneho Kwafo Akoo noted that the Baton symbolised unity and was a unifying symbol that brought all Commonwealth nations together.
From the Akwamufie palace, the Baton was held by some chiefs in satellite villages and towns, including Juapong in the Volta Region. The Deputy Minister of Education and MP for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, met the Baton at Juapong, where he took it through its principal streets.
The Regional Minister, Nii Afotey Agbo, welcomed the Baton in Ho and paraded it through the streets there in a motorcade which led a procession to the Palace of the Agbogbomefia of the Asogli Traditional Council.
At the palace, the president of the Volta Regional House of Chiefs and paramount chief (Agbogbomefia) of the Asogli State, Togbe Afede XIV, also honoured the Baton with a colourful durbar.
Togbui Afede entreated Ghanaians to live by the tenets of the Baton, which represents endeavour for victory and harmony, including the ideals of peace, togetherness and co-operation.
From the Agbogbomefia’s palace, the Baton travelled to the palace of Togbui Binah Lawluvi VI at Ziope Agotime, where a mini-durbar was held by the Ziope and Agotime traditional councils in honour of the Baton.
Back from the Volta Region, the Baton arrived at the residence of the British Deputy High Commissioner, Caron Rohsler, in Accra where a brief reception, involving fellow diplomats from other nations to honour the baton, was held.
The sector Minister, Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, who was a guest at the event, noted that the country had 55 Commonwealth medals in its possession since the inception of the Games in 1958, including the famous gold medal in the 4x100 metres in 1966.