GRi Arts & Culture 07 – 10 - 2002
ECOWAS disappointed at development in Cote d'Ivoire
Book on Otumfuo Osei Tutu II launched in London
People of Worawora celebrate Akwantutenten festival
ECOWAS disappointed at development in Cote d'Ivoire
A delay by
the Ivorian government and changes in the original draft accord made it
difficult for the pact to be ratified. Mr. Hackman Owusu-Agyeman, Foreign
Minister, who led the Ghanaian government delegation that included Dr. Kwame Addo-Kufuor, Defence Minister, to
The
Foreign Minister said the Ivorian government insisted on the laying down of
arms by the mutinous soldiers as a pre-condition for a cease-fire as agreed by
the ECOWAS Summit in
He said:
"This was after the two parties have agreed with the contact group on an
unconditional cease-fire." Mr. Owusu-Agyeman said the group consisting
Foreign and Defence Ministers of six ECOWAS countries
have returned home to consult with their heads of states on the next line of
action, adding that
He
expressed the hope that the cease-fire accord would soon be signed since a
protracted crisis in
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Book on Otumfuo
Osei Tutu II launched in London
London
(
Mr. K.
Baah-Duodu described it as an significant addition to Ghanaian literature
and called on the academia to take up the challenge of revamping the book
industry in
He praised the
mastery and storytelling skills exhibited by the author and urged Ghanaians to
cultivate the culture of reading to enable Ghanaian authors to make a
decent living in their chosen field of endeavour.
“We must support
such enterprising young authors to write more books because this would not only
facilitate the expansion of the literary sector in
The book gives a
comprehensive account of the life of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene. It also
delves into
The first twenty
copies of the book were auctioned and autographed by the author of the book,
Abyna-Ansaa Adjei, a product of the Book Industry Department College of Arts,
Among dignitaries
present at the launch were Mr. K.T. Hammond, Deputy Minster for Energy; Nii
Ayitey Boafo, Special Aide to the President; Mr. Asamoah Boateng, National
Co-ordinator of the Homecoming Secretariat; Nana Otuo Acheampong, Publisher of
Ghana Review
International; Rev
Mark Adu-Gyamfi, Chairman of the Homecoming Committee, UK & Ireland
Branch, Dr. Kwadzo Osei, a Lecturer at the London School of Oriental and
African Studies as well as a cross
section of Ghanaians and friends of Ghana in the UK.
Reviewing the
book, Dr. Kwadzo Osei said "the book encapsulates in a contemporary style,
the rich heritage and legends of one of the most powerful and famous kingdoms
south of the
Dr. Kwadzo Osei
observed that "the book also uncovers the deeper histories that lie behind
several of the myths and legends of the
According to Dr.
Osei, “Otumfuo Osei-Tutu II: King of Gold” in this sense made obvious the
inter-connections between religion and culture. Insight is provided into the
Adae festivals, religious rites and ceremonies and their centrality to the
institutions of
He said another
fascinating feature of the book was that "it interweaves a broader
social-economic and political history with discussions about the everyday life
of the
Concluding
Dr. Kwadzo stressed that “ while providing acute insights into tradition and
cultural practice, the book simultaneously relates some of the processes by
which past Asante Kings such as Prempeh II experienced British colonialism and
modernity “
A book that
engages so passionately with these aspects of the Ghanaian experience cannot but
be an important statement in today’s globalised world, a world that many of us
now increasingly conceive of as a little globalised village", he added. -
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People of Worawora celebrate Akwantutenten festival
Worawora
(Volta Region)
Worawora
in the Jasikan District of the Volta Region was held on Saturday to mark the
celebration of their annual Akwantutenten Festival.
The
people celebrate the festival annually to remember their migration from
Kuntunase in the Ashanti Region to their present abode. Addressing the festival
on behalf of President J. A. Kufuor, Mr. Kwesi Owusu Yeboah, Volta Regional
Minister, said the government was determined to create and preserve a state of
law and order where citizens and non-citizens would feel free and safe to pursue
their legitimate goals and objectives for personal and collective benefits.
He
pointed out that the way to achieve national security and political stability
was to enforce the laws of the country strictly to create in the people a
credible psychology of fear and respect for the laws and Constitution of the
country rather than the fear of one man and his co-hosts, who are apostles of
populist incitement of lawlessness and indiscipline.
The
President said his administration would fiercely resist all and any attempt to
induce it into action through the lullaby of opportunistic appeasers who were
always calling for restraint on the part of government in the face of eminent
danger.
He
said the government was committed to an equitable distribution of national
resources with emphasis on rural development. President Kufuor announced that
the Kpeve-Hohoe road had been awarded on contract to Gbewa contractors at the
cost of 7.26 billion cedis, adding that work is expected to start from November
this year.
He
said the Kpando-Worawora-Dambai road on contract to Belfinger Contractors would
also start before the close of the year, adding that the first phase of the
project was intended to cover a distance of 50 kilometres from Tapa-Abotoase.
The
President said the department has advertised the construction of a motor road
from Worawora to Kogokrom. On communication, he said work has began on a 60
channel system each for Jasikan and Kejebi districts as an interim
telecommunication arrangement.
He
said the two systems at Jasikan and Kejebi are to be connected to satellite
areas within a radius of 60 kilometres by using remote radio system. President
Kufuor said the government has signed a 1.5 billion cedis contract with Cerese
Electricals to convert the single-phase electricity system at Worawora to a
three-phase system.
On
the Oti Rice Mill at Worawora, the President said a comprehensive profile on a
viable rice industry centred on the Oti Rice Mill has been prepared and
presented by an industrialisation advisory group.
He
congratulated the chiefs and people for maintaining peace and order in the
traditional area and wished them a happy celebration. Daasebre Osei Bonsu 11,
Ashanti Mamponghene who deputised for Otumfuo Osei Tutu, Asantehene advised the
people of Worawora to cultivate the spirit of oneness and contribute towards the
development of the area.
He
called for the revival of cultural and traditional activities of the people.
Daasebre Asare Baah 111, Paramount chief of the Worawora Traditional Area
appealed to the government to create a separate region for the district in the
northern sector of the Volta Region to speed up development.
He
called for the creation of a separate district within the Jasikan District to be
known as Biakoye, adding that the coverage was too large for its administration.
Daasebre Asare called for the rehabilitation of roads and schools in the area.
The occasion was used to launch the Worawora Education Endowment Fund.
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