1. KROBO

2. KLE MUSUM

3. AGBA WE

4. LENSHIE

5. GBUGBLA

AT THE SALEM SQUARE.

Gbetsoolor Nii Ashitey Akomfra III, Teshie Mantse; Elders of the Teshie Traditional Authority; Hon. Henry Quartey, Greater Accra Regional Minister, Member of Parliament; The Chief Director of the Regional Coordinating Council; The Municipal Coordinating Director, Ledzokuku Municipal Assembly; Niimei and Naamei, The Media; I greet you all.

Mii ha nyℇ fℇℇ afi

Afi oo Afi

Afi naa akpe wƆ

Afi aya ani eba nina wƆ

JƆƆmƆ hewale sheremƆ

Kunim yeli afee wƆ nƆ

Afi benℇ Teshie mℇi efee ekome ni wƆna toin jƆlℇ

Tswa ni omanye juro abla wƆ

Once again, another year has come, last year the First Lady Mrs. Rebecca Akufo Addo was here to do the presentation of food items for the Homowo Festival on behalf of the President, His Excellency, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo and the Government of Ghana. This year, we are fortunate to have another GaDangme royal in the person of Hon. Henry Quartey, the

Greater Accra Regional Minister together with the Assembly to do the presentation on behalf of the President and the Government of Ghana. Honourable Minister, oba kℇ nine kome, wƆ mli herebo kℇ nijii enyƆ welcome you to Teshie.

PEACE AND UNITY IN TESHIE

Teshie has been relatively peaceful till a few months ago.

Last week Monday, the rites for the Gbemlilaa was performed. As I speak now the ban on noise making and drumming has taken effect. However, the performing of this rite was done amidst tension and confusion. The large contingent of heavily armed Policemen that was deployed for this short ceremony to prevent possible clashes between the two factions in the Wulomo dispute, though was a positive move, at the same time, it marred

the beauty of this Gbemlilaa Ceremony. It has also put fear in the citizens as a result of “Landguards” that was deployed during the Gbemlilaa.

Hon. Minister, I am, therefore, appealing to the Regional Coordinating Council, the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs, the Judiciary and other Stakeholders to help resolve the numerous disputes in the Teshie Traditional set up. As the MCE this appeal is very dear to my heart and I wish and hope, that by next year Homowo, all the disputes would be resolved.

At this stage, I would like to express my sincere thanks to the Teshie Mantse, Gbetsoolor Nii Ashitey Akomfra III restraining the other faction.

Otherwise, the calamity that would have befallen this town can never be told.

Thank you, Nii Gbetsoolor, indeed you have shown the way to peace.

COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Some few weeks ago, the President spoke to the Nation about the rise in infection of the new Delta Covid-19 Variant. As a result, the Regional Coordinating Council has tasked all MMDA’S in the Greater Accra Region to enforce the observance of all the protocols to stop the spread of the virus. The Ledzokuku Municipal Assembly, has since the outbreak of the pandemic, distributed enough face masks, hand sanitizers, Veronica buckets and bowls, soaps and paper tissues to Schools, Markets, Churches,

Mosques, Lorry and Taxi Stations, Traditional Council and the General Public.

The Assembly has already embarked with the implementation and enforcement of the protocols. The Municipal Information Department has

routinely been educating the Public using radio and our information vans. Soon arrest and prosecution will start.

Within the past few weeks, there has been an outbreak of two deadly human viral disease-the Ebola in Ivory Coast and the Marburg Guinea all in West Africa. The symptoms are similar and are shown by fever and weakness. There is no treatment, therefore, its very fatal. The only way to prevent infection is by avoiding direct contact with bodily fluids of individual infected with the disease.

I am therefore, appealing to the general public to report persons with suspected symptoms to the nearest Health Facility to avoid widespread infection to the general public.

At this stage, I am making a passionate appeal to all residents in the Municipality to strictly abide by the Covid-19 protocols (vaccination) as we all know to prevent the spread of the virus and save lives.

SANITATION

Under the auspices of the GAMA Project, the Ledzokuku Municipal Assembly provided a total of 600 household toilets in the year 2020 for the residents of Teshie. The project is on-going and a good number of beneficiaries have requested for household toilets to be constructed for them. Without doubt, this exercise has reduced the incidence of open defecation drastically in most affected places in the Municipality.

I also extend my appreciation to Religious bodies, Civil Society Organizations and Community-based Organizations (CBOs) who collaborate with the Assembly in organizing clean-up campaigns on various occasions.

I welcome you all to the presentation of food items to Chief and People Teshie for this year’s Homowo.

Afioo afi !!!

The MCE, MCD, Police, Military, Fire Service, NADMO, BNI and other Directors were all present at this very important meeting.

I will not go too much into what transpired in the meeting, but these are decisions that were taken –

1. None of the two claimants to the Wulomo position would be allowed to perform the Gbemlinlaa on Monday, 9th August, 2021.

2. The Ashia-we Elders would solely perform the Gbemlinlaa.

(The above is a repeat of the decisions taken in 2019 for Gbemlinlaa)

*None of the claimants objected to the decisions taken by the MUSEC*

With regards to the rites performed at beach, none of the two prevented each other. Both performed after the other. There were no confrontations.

Yesterday’s clashes occurred after both factions had done their rites and had left the Sangonaa beach. During the meeting, both had indicated, that there would peace during the two rites at the beach and indeed they honoured their promise.

The clashes happened after the end of the rites in the late afternoon.

MUSEC anticipates, that the Gbemlinlaa, being an outdoor event can be explosive, even though both factions have been banned. As a result adequate security measures, including military backup have been put in place by the MUSEC chaired by the MCE, Hon Evelyn Naa Adjeley Twum-Gyamrah.

Teshimei, let’s pray for our dear town. This is not the time for the blame game but rather let us all rally behind our three Heads in Teshie – the Chief, MCE and the MP, that the trio, with our support and prayers can bring a definite end to the deteriorating reputation of Teshie.

To this end, it called on flag group leaders to make peace and security a priority prior to the Gbemlilaa, a traditional rite that precedes activities to earmark the celebration.

In attendance were the Municipal Chief Executive Mrs. Evlyn Naa Adjeley Twum-Gyamerah and the Coordinating Director. Also present were the security heads, that is the Greater Accra Regional Dep.Police Commander, Regional Police CID, Kpeeshi Divisional Commander, Teshie Military Command, and the convenor for the annual Homowo stakeholders meeting, Mr. Clement Kommey.

The Regional Commander cautioned individuals and groups who are used to perpetuating violence to desist from it and rather give peace a chance.

On his part, the Divisional Commander, urged the leaders to encourage their members to observe the COVID protocols, most especially the wearing of nose masks during the Kpashimo.

The Military command also used the occasion to appeal to the groups to desist from wearing military uniforms in their moments of celebration, reminding them that it is a serious offense punishable by law.

The Municipal Chief Executive advised the groups to bring back the love, pomp and pageantry that characterize such celebrations and also adhere to security protocols for the celebration. She reiterated the arrangement for the Gbemlilaa and called on all stakeholders to support the Ashia-We to perform the needed rites in anticipation of a successful celebration.

The people were thrilled with Homowo songs by Azin Kotoku and Kane.

Credit: Clement Kommey.