Use Homowo to build peace and unity – Ofankor Mantsɛ Nii Kortey Boi II
Chief of Ofankor, Nii Kortey Boi II has called on all indigenes of Ga to use this year’s Homowo celebrations to foster peace and unity.
Speaking to Class News at an occasion to mark the beginning of Homowo in areas under the Asere clan, the Ofankor chief noted that it is essential for traditional rulers and indigenes to make peace a priority.
Some towns in the Greater Accra region have reeled under chieftaincy disputes and illegal sale of stool lands to private developers, a situation which has brought about some division and marred the peace in those towns. But Nii Ofankor said it is critical to use the celebration of Homowo which is a festival to hoot at hunger, to solve all family disputes and rally family members around one table.
He noted “I want to remind all natives of the Ga state that Homowo symbolises togetherness, and it’s a good time for families to unite. I urge all families to call for meetings to address all outstanding issues to bring peace. This way, we will eliminate all issues that fuel disunity and enjoy the full benefits of the peace the festival brings.”
Explaining the significance of the ceremony to commence the festivities in the Asere clan, Jaasetsɛ of Abehenease, Nii Okai Mensa I noted that the annual ritual is to commemorate and honour an oath Nii Okaikoi, made before his death. He explained: “Every year, we come here to commemorate the significance of the oath our great king, Nii Okaikoi made in this very place before his death. Asere is Ga and Ga is Asere. We the factions under the Asere clan are the ones who come here annually to perform these rituals. The Asere clan consists of about 7 great families including the Frimpongs, the Gbos, the Lante Djans, the Amartsɛs, the Abbeytsɛs and others. The Chief of Asere Kotopon in the Ga Mashie Traditional Area, Nii Asere Boi VII, begins the sprinkling of kpokpoi on Ga land which paves way for others to sprinkle in other areas.”
