The chiefs and people of the Chiana traditional area in the Kassena-Nankana West District of the Upper East Region have celebrated the 12th anniversary of the annual Fao festival, displaying a high sense of unity and togetherness.
Thousands of people from Chiana and surrounding towns such as Katiu, Kayoro, Nakong, Sandema, Chuchuliga Navrongo and Paga thronged the event grounds to witness the rich display of culture, tradition and togetherness.
There was drumming and dance right from the premises of the Chiana-Pio’s palace to the Social Centre Park where the event was held.
The side attraction involved men in traditional war garments competing for supremacy in the display of magical powers as some had live snakes in their mouths and cut themselves effortlessly with knives while the women cheered them on amidst dancing and singing.
A retinue of chiefs graced the festival including the Sakoti paramount chief, Naba Sigri Bewong, who chaired the occasion.
There were also political office holders such as the Upper East Regional Minister, Stephen Yakubu, DCE for Kassena-Nankana West, Gerard Ataogye and the MP for Chiana-Paga, Thomas Adda Dalu. Leaderships of the two main political parties, the governing New Patriotic Party and the opposition National Democratic Congress were also in attendance.
Naba Sigri Bewong commended the Chiana-Pio and his people for maintaining peace and togetherness and his consistency in the organisation of the annual festival.
Naba Bewong also heaped praises on the Chiana-Pio for his sterling leadership which has brought Chiana enormous development. He urged the people of Chiana to continue to live in peace and harmony.
Peace in Bawku
The Chiana-Pio, Pe Ditundini Adiali Ayagitam III, appealed to the feuding tribes in Bawku to dedicate this year towards peace building and the resolution of the conflict.
Pe Adiali Ayagitam, who is also the president of the regional house of chiefs, said smoking the peace pipe will help secure the future of Bawku and bring back its long lost vibrant economic fortune.
He said that a peaceful Bawku will also help the region regain its lost glory as a haven of peace in the country.
“The Upper East Region has been known as a haven for peace and tranquility,” he said. “The Bawku ethnic conflict has, however, come to mar this haven. I will like to on this occasion, as president of the Upper East regional house of chiefs, call on the warring factions to dedicate 2023 as a year for the consolidation of peace.”
“Smoking the peace pipe and bringing calm and tranquility to this once vibrant town should be your primary objective throughout the year.”
The Chiana-Pio then commended the Sirigu Naba and his mediation team for the efforts in the resolution of the Doba-Kandiga conflict and restoration of peace and calm to the two communities.
West zone district
The Chiana-Pio renewed his appeal for the creation of a district for the West Zone of the Kassena-Nankana West District.
He noted that the geography of the present day Kassena-Nankana West District was inappropriate and the siting of the district capital in Paga was not bringing government close to his people.
Pe Adiali Ayagitam added that another challenge necessitating the need to carve out a district for the West Zone was also the difficulties in accessing the area from Paga.
The Chiana-Pio, therefore, appealed to President Nana Akufo-Addo and his government to grant their request before the 2024 general elections.
“Districts are created to bring government closer to the people and to ensure facilities and activities for socio-economic development in the various communities.
“We continue to make the demand for the simple reason that the area is geographically inappropriate for it to be administratively linked to Paga.”
Poverty eradication
He also touched on challenges facing education, health and food security in his area.
He thanked President Akufo-Addo and his government for the implementation and expansion of coverage of the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) initiative to his area, saying the intervention has helped to greatly reduce the suffering of his people.
For his part, the Upper East Regional Minister, Stephen Yakubu, reiterated the need for peace in the region as a catalyst for development. He commended the chiefs and people of Chiana for the peaceful coexistence.
He assured the Chiana-Pio and his people of government’s support and fair share development projects.
Senyalah Castro
Asaase Radio 99.5 broadcasts on radio via 99.5 in Accra, 98.5 in Kumasi, 99.7 in Tamale, 100.3 in Cape Coast and on our affiliates Bawku FM 101.5 in Bawku, Beats FM 99.9 in Bimbilla, Somua FM 89.9 in Gushegu, Stone City 90.7 in Ho, Mining City 89.5 in Tarkwa and Wale FM 106.9 in Walewale
Tune in or log on to broadcasts online: www.asaaseradio.com, Sound Garden and TuneIn
Follow us on Twitter: @asaaseradio995
Live streaming: facebook.com/asaaseradio99.5. Also on YouTube: Asaase Radio Official.
Join the conversation. Call: 020 000 9951 or 059 415 7777. Or WhatsApp: 020 000 0995.
#AsaaseRadio
#TheVoiceofOurLand
