AMANOKROMHENE CALLS FOR UNITY AMONG HIS PEOPLE (PAGE 23)

THE Chief of Amanokrom in the Akuapem North District in the Eastern Region, Nana Osim Kwatia II, has called for unity and a peaceful co-existence among the people of the town.
That, he said, would enable them to unite as a people to contribute meaningfully to the socio-economic development of the area.
“If we want to see any significant progress taking place in our communities, then we must resolve to do away with bickering, rancour and misunderstanding and rather channel our resources and energies into the development of our town”, Nana Kwatia stressed.
Addressing a durbar of chiefs and people of Amanokrom, Nana Kwatia stated “we need peace and unity at Amanokrom so we must be one another’s keeper”.
The event, which coincided with the 10th anniversary of the enstoolment of Nana Manko Aba II, the queen of Amanokrom, was also used to announce the ban on drumming and dancing in the area for the next 40 days prior to the celebration of the annual Odwira festival on September 14, this year.
As part of the ceremony, a borehole constructed by “Friends of Amanokrom” was inaugurated.
Highlights of the festival included a health screening exercise, a cooking contest, talent hunt, torch light procession through the main streets of the town, interdenominational thanksgiving service and street jams.
Nana Kwatia, who is also the Gyaasehene of the Akuapem Traditional Area, said for the past two years, Amanokrom had been embroiled in chieftaincy disputes that had divided the ranks of the people of the town.
He said the problem had partly contributed to a tense atmosphere in the area, a situation that had slowed down the area’s development.
“As one people, we must remember that nobody will come from outside to build our town for us. We must, therefore, come together and contribute our individual and collective expertise to the development our communities”, Nana Kwatia stressed.
He noted with concern that the few resources that could be utilised to maintain security in our town should rather be used for our communities’ development.
Nana Kwatia appealed to the people to observe the ban on drumming and dancing and use it as “a period for reflection on our achievement and the challenges facing us as a people”.