Chief of Awukugua in the Eastern Region, Osabarima Opese Konadu II
The Chief of Awukugua in the Eastern Region has expressed concern over the continuous abysmal performance of pupils and students in schools within the Awukugua area, especially in the Basic Education Certificate Examination.
Osabarima Opese Konadu II observed that public basic school pupils perform poorly compared to their counterparts in notable parts of the country.
He was speaking during the durbar of the annual Ohum festival at Awukugua which also coincided with his 3rd anniversary celebration on the Stool.
“Most children in this community attend school, some of them have completed but we don’t know what they’re doing with the education they acquired,” said Osabarima Opese Konadu, furthering that the investments made in educating the children was going down the drain. “The support parents put into educating their children and what the traditional council is also doing is yielding no results.”
He admonished parents that their future lies in the success of their children, adding that proper upbringing of their wards would be beneficial to them.
Comparing the relative success of educational performances in the area to other schools in the country, the chief asserted: “Both parents and their children have a big responsibility [to ensure proper upbringing]. Children in some other parts of the country perform well but not in Awukugua and this is of utmost concern to me.”
With the nation preparing for its general elections on the 7th of December, the traditional leader urged the electorate to eschew violence and ensure a peaceful process devoid of rancour.
The Awukuguahene also decried the high spate of accidents on the Aburi-Asenema highway and appealed for speed ramps to be fixed to reduce speeding by vehicles to save lives.
With most marriages on frequent breakdown, the chief advocated for more traditional weddings among would-be couples and not necessarily resorting to expensive weddings.
The occasion was also used to appeal to all and sundry for support towards the completion of the chief’s palace.
Special guest of honour at the event, Nana Opeabre Awuah Asiedu, Suhum Benkumhene on his part, acknowledged the historical role played by Awukugua in Ashanti and Ghana’s history.
Nana intimated: “In the annals of Ghana history, Awukugua has played a significant role due to how the people of Awukugua produced Okomfo Anokye who was instrumental in the formation of the Ashanti Kingdom.”
Adding his voice to calls for peaceful elections to be held in the coming days, he charged all and sundry to ensure that the country emerges unscathed and stronger than before the polls.
Nana Opeabre Awuah Asiedu, Suhum Benkumhene observed that though the Akuapem area has had its fair share of chieftaincy disputes, the area has nevertheless been spared of the usual violence with such disputes recorded in other parts of the world.
“In Akuapem, we have been fortunate so far, chieftaincy disputes have not resulted in any violent turmoil…so far, Akuapem has escaped acts of violence in this our difficult times,” he observed but bemoaned the apparent rising factionalism. “Factions have been created in the society which does not augur well for the cohesiveness and unity of Akuapem,” he asserted.
The Suhum Benkumhene was thankful that though some Divisions seceded from the Akuapem project a decade ago, the situation did not lead to violence in the area.
He called for good leadership to ensure development, unity and peace unto his people, adding that decisions that bring anarchy and rancour must be eschewed.
Celebrating the Ohum festival
The Ohum Festival, initiated centuries ago, is celebrated by the Akuapem people to thank God for His blessings, cleanse the stools, and remember the ancestors who kept the kingdom. It also marks the first yam harvest and asks for more harvests in the coming year.
Some of the activities observed during the week-long celebrations include visiting the Gyempremo shrine, performing rituals and making sacrifices, pledging to continue the tradition, pledging allegiance to the king, sub-chiefs, and elders, among others.
The occasion also features artistic and cultural elements, including religious activities, drumming, dancing, colorful costumes, and regalia.
The festival shows the people’s ability to draw inspiration from their ancestors and protective spirits, and combine them with modern elements.
Explaining the significance of the event, Abontendomhene of Awukugua, Baffour Kumankum Sereko Agyerakwa II, speaking in an interview noted, “Our forefathers began it and we’re continuing… indigenes of Awukugua domiciled in other places come home to assist in the development of the community.”
He urged the youth to continue to actively involve themselves in the occasion to help them understand the customs and traditions of the people.
The traditional leader also urged the people to vote peacefully in the upcoming elections to ensure that the peace of the country is sustained.