Prez. Akufo-Addo joins Akyem Abuakwa for Ohum Festival

• Posted on July 17, 2017
• by Nana Kwesi Coomson
• Comment

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has stated that he will not supervise a government that will repeat the mistakes of the past. Rather, he said, his government would endeavour to correct what went wrong in the past through well-thought out measures to ensure the accelerated development of the country.

Speaking at a durbar of the chiefs and the people of the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Area to mark this year’s Ohum Festival in Kyebi last Saturday, the President said Ghana was a rich nation and that his government would ensure that Ghanaians reaped the benefits from the available resources.

The durbar, which was characterised by traditional drumming and dancing, was on the theme: “Taking charge of our environment”.

President Akufo-Addo expressed high hopes in his appointees to rise up to the challenges confronting the nation.

A line-up of divisional chiefs of the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Area carrying firewood on their shoulders to be presented to Okyenhene during the Ohum durbar at Kyebi. Pictures: Seth Takyi Boateng

“Looking at the calibre of ministers in my government, I have no doubt about their capabilities and abilities to perform because we want to leave a good legacy for the generation yet unborn,” he said.

Illegal mining

Reiterating the commitment of the government to fight illegal mining, the President said he would not sit unconcerned for illegal mining to destroy the environment and water bodies and called on Ghanians to continue to pray for the government to succeed.

He later donated assorted drinks, a ram and GHc20,000 towards the celebration of the festival.

Okyenhene appeals

The Okyenhene, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin, appealed to the government to rehabilitate roads in the Eastern Region.

He expressed concern over the many ongoing activities which were leading to resource depletion and causing environmental  degradation.

“As if that were not enough, these activities, frequently authorised from outside Akyem, are now disrupting the daily farming activities of citizens and destroying water bodies, including watersheds. These activities must stop and I urge all citizens to rise and back the state in its fight to restore sanity,” he said.

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