The chiefs and people of the Bawku Traditional Area in the Upper East Region have climaxed their 33rd annual Samanpiid festival with a call on residents to help sustain the prevailing peace in the area.
MPs, chiefs, Queen mothers, among others, graced the durbar.
The paramount Chief of the Bawku Traditional Area, Zugraan Abugrago Asigri Azoka, said sustaining the peace in the area is a collective task.
The Samanpiid is an annual festival celebrated by the Kusasis in the Kusaug Traditional Area in the Upper East Region to show appreciation to God for a bumper harvest. It was first celebrated in 1987. The festival, was used to showcase the rich cultural heritage of the chiefs and people of the traditional area, and was characterized by traditional dancing, music, colourful costume and speeches.
The Bawku Naaba, Zugraan Abugrago Asigri Azoka commended government, the various security agencies, Bawku Inter-Ethnic Peace Committee and other stakeholders for jealously safeguarding the peace they are currently enjoying.
He described the chieftaincy institution as noble, hence the need for divisional chiefs not to engage in active politics.
He appealed to the people in the area to stop practicing outmoded cultural practices such as early marriages, widowhood rites, female genital mutilation among others.
The Deputy Upper East Regional Minister, Frank Fuseini Adongo, said the theme for the celebration is apt because it challenges them to dialogue, co-exist, and unite as one people. He entreated the people to be patient since the government is making efforts at addressing their developmental challenges.
Other speakers charged residents in the area to support the Bawku Naba Education Endowment fund to help meet the needs of the brilliant but needy students in the area. Residents were also charged to continue to adhere to the coronavirus safety protocols.
Story filed by Samuel Ayammah.