The Paramount Chief of Suma Traditional Area, Odeneho Dr. Affram Brempong III held a grand durbar at Suma-Ahenkro Presby school park on November 1st to climax this year’s Munufie festival.
The munufie, also known as Yam festival, is a thanksgiving ceremony to honour the gods and ancestors for the bountiful yam harvest, a crop that has historical significance to Bono people.
The event was graced by prominent paramount chiefs, including Dormaahene, Sampa, and Atebubu, as well as notable politicians such as the Bono Regional Minister, the regional NDC chairman, former Attorney General Betty Mould-Iddrisu, and Mrs. Vida Adomah Asiedu Nketiah, wife of the NDC national chairman.
According to the organizers of the festival, proceeds from this year’s Munufie festival will be used to establish the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) campus at Suma Ahenkro,
In his address, Suma Manhene said the tertiary institution aimed at promoting education and development in the area.
Touching on the dire consequences of illegal mining activities in the country, Dr. Odeneho Affram Brempong reiterated the need to curb the manace, citing effects on the environment and economy.
He emphasized that galamsey destroys farmlands and water bodies, undermining efforts to develop the country’s mining sector.
While commending the government for waging war against galamsey, Suma Manhene appeals for more decisive action against galamsey operators.
He accused the Suma police of shielding galamseyers who were arrested at Goka, a community within his traditional area, and vowed to deal with anyone involved in illegal mining.
“There is no single galamsey pit or activity going on in Suma-Ahenkro because I have vowed not to allow it in this area. Any chief who fails to stop galamsey in his jurisdiction means he is benefiting or is behind it,” he said in twi.
Dr. Brempong commended the government for the recent appreciation of the Ghanaian cedi against major foreign currencies, attributing it to efforts to stabilize the economy.
The Bono Regional representative of the Council of State vowed to join the Council of State to demonstrate if the Anti-LGBTQ Bill has not passed, citing Ghanaians’ high expectations for its passage and can’t be ignored.
The Suma Manhene, however, commended the proponents of the Bill and the Speaker of Parliament for their swift support of the Anti-LGBTQ Bill.
Osaagyefo Oseadeeyo Dr. Agyeman Badu II, Dormaahene, on his part, expressed dismay on the increasing conflict at Sampa in Jaman North in the Bono Region.
The Dormaahene cited injustice fueling the conflict in Sampa, calling for fairness and justice.
Dormaahene, who doubles as the President of the Bono Regional House of Chiefs, called for a fair hearing and vowed to prevent injustice, hinting at preventing any court that would try to impose a chief at Sampa.
Osaagyefo Agyeman Badu II cautioned residents against using guns and other weapons to perpetrate violence, with a call on Sammordua and Samgba Gyafla factions to ensure peace at Sampa.
Dormaahene commits not to support any of the factions until the Judicial Committee of the Bono Regional House of Chiefs comes out with their verdict on the rightful occupant of the stool
He condemned attacks on markets and buildings, urging residents to remain calm and allow the Judicial Committee of the Bono Regional House of Chiefs to pronounce their final verdict.
Osaagyefo called on residents to adhere to his advice to bring peace to Sampa, insisting that the Sampa paramount stool is not installed at Manhyia in the Ashanti Region.
Dormaahene defined a chief as a person, who, hailing from the appropriate family and lineage, who has been validly nominated, elected or selected, and enstooled in accordance with the relevant customary law.
Touching on roads, both Suma and Dormaa Paramount Chiefs expressed their displeasure over the deplorable Berekum-Sampa road, calling on the government to complete the project.
Suma manhene cautioned the road contractor and the government not to abandon the road they had started.
*Source: Kaakyire Kwasi Afari. Ark FM, Sunyani.
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