Nana Asiakwa II (midle) with other traditional leaders of Nkonya at the launch
The chiefs and people of Nkonya Wurupong Traditional Council have launched their 2019 annual yam festival dubbed ‘Sankyiba Festival 2019’ in Accra, with a call on the youth to get involved in all the activities to enable them to learn the significance of the festival.
The week-long festival is under the theme: ‘Our Health, Our Culture: Bridging The Gap To Sustain The Youth’.
The festival is used to recount their migration from Nyanowase through Larteh Kubease, Aseseeso, Senchi to their current location.
The launch ceremony attracted number of personalities, including traditional leaders, among others. It was performed by the Paramount Chief of the Nkonya Wurupong Traditional Area, Nana Kwadwo Asiakwa II.
Political party leaders, ministers of state and Members of Parliament (MPs) are expected to grace this year’s festival, which would be celebrated from Monday, November 25 to Sunday, December 1.
Some of the activities lined up include youth games, musical concerts, a durbar, among others.
Speaking at the ceremony, Nana Kwadwo Asiakwa II said the festival would bring development to Nkonya through projects like building of schools, roads and refurbishment of the Nkonya Senior High School.
According to him, as part of efforts to develop the community, they have earmarked a levy of GH¢10 for every member of the community to pay into a community development fund account.
He added that the fund would be used to aid in development projects, adding that any money used from it would be accounted for.
The chief appealed to government and benevolent individuals and organisations to help the community with developmental projects like the construction of the Afram Plains-Nkonya road to enable the two communities to access each other’s market.
He, however, called on natives of Nkonya Wurupong both home and abroad, as well as non-natives, to join the community for the celebration and help to leave a legacy for the upcoming generation.
Nana Asiakwa, who spoke about indiscipline on the part of some youth groups in the community, advised them to desist from misconduct and bad practices during the period of the festival.
He, therefore, appealed to the people to be guided by the theme and remain united since it is only through unity that every community can enjoy continuous development.
Nana Kofi Ampadu II, Kyidomhene of the Nkonya Wurupong Traditional Area, appealed to the government and corporate institutions to help renovate the abandoned health structures in order to enable members of the community to access healthcare.
By George Clifford Owusu