By Franklin ASARE-DONKOH
The Paramount King of the Igbo people in Ghana, His Majesty, Eze Dr. Chukwudi Ihenetu, has called on his sub-chiefs and elders of various Igbo communities in Ghana to take pragmatic steps to teach the new and younger generation the Igbo culture and tradition.
His Majesty, Eze Dr. Ihenetu, made the call when addressing hundreds of his king’s men and women, as well as some Ghanaian chiefs, government appointees, political leaders, and musicians at this year’s New Yam/Iriji Festival and Coronation Anniversary, which was held yesterday at the Efua Sutherland Children’s Park in Accra.
This year’s celebration marks the 10th anniversary of the new yam/Iriji Festival and Coronation Anniversary celebration in Ghana.
“As Igbo leaders and parents in Diaspora, we have a shared duty to teach new generations our culture and traditions. We owe it to them to make them better people, a wiser clan, and to create a better Nigerian-Igbos in Ghana for those who come after us,” he reiterated.
According to him, he was of the firm belief in maintaining, practicing, and teaching our culture and traditions.
Therefore, he admonished his people to go back to their roots to understand how to cope with the future.
“I firmly believe that we must go back to our roots to understand how to cope with the future, especially as we mark the 10th anniversary of Ghana-Igbo history.
I’m hopeful that our tomorrow will be better than today,” His Majesty, Eze Dr. Ihenetu, emphasised.
He also used the occasion to express his profound appreciation to the government of Ghana, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and the good people of Ghana for their support all these years, as well as for accommodating Igbos and giving them the space to operate freely.
My gratitude again goes to the government of Nigeria, the government of Imo state, Senator Rochas Okorocha, Engineer Cletus Amaraegbu, and all those who helped me to actualize the dream of the Igbo throne in Ghana. To Chief Harrison Mba Kalu, Chief Isaac Chigbata, HRH Eze Okechukwu Oforoala, Chief Osy Mba and the late Chief Cosmas Iwuala. I also want to appreciate my dear wife, Ugoeze Liberty,
and my children. Most importantly, I thank all the Igbos in Ghana who have stood by me all these years. May God bless us all. His Majesty, Eze Dr. Ihenetu said.
Nine individuals, including the popular Nigeria Actor, James lkechukwu Esomugha aka Jim Ike, and Ghanaian singer Empress, were conferred with chieftaincy titles during our 2022 new yam festival.