Nanung uses Damba health walk to promote unity, devt
The Nanung Traditional Area has used this year’s Damba celebration to promote healthy living, community unity and development, with traditional leaders, government officials, young people, women and residents taking part in a health walk through Bimbilla.
Held under the theme: ‘Every Step Counts, Walk Together, Live Better, Celebrate Damba,’ the walk combined physical fitness with a broader call for peace, unity and collective development in the Nanung area.
Leading the walk was the Regent of the Nanumba Kingdom, Nyalinbolgu Naa Yakubu Andani Dasana, who said the initiative demonstrated how cultural celebrations could also provide an opportunity for communities to reflect on their development.
The walk attracted the Northern Regional Minister, Ali Adolf John; the Nanumba North Municipal Chief Executive; the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC), Sofo Tanko Rashid; and the First National Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Chief Awudu Sofo Azorka, as well as traditional leaders, community representatives, young people, women and residents.
The health walk formed part of the wider Damba celebrations, which bring communities together to celebrate their cultural heritage and traditions.
The Regent in his address said “Every step we took represented our determination to move Nanung forward together. Damba is not only about celebrating our culture; it is also an opportunity to promote healthy living, unity and development.”
Nyalinbolgu Naa Yakubu Andani Dasana said culture was strongest when it contributed to social cohesion and development.
“Our culture is strongest when it brings us together, inspires development and promotes peace and unity. We should use our cultural occasions to strengthen our communities and encourage people to contribute to development,” he said.
The Northern Regional Minister, Ali Adolf John, said activities that brought traditional authorities, government and communities together were important for strengthening community development.
“When traditional leaders, government officials and residents come together in activities such as this, it strengthens the relationship between the people and those responsible for development. We must continue to work together to improve the lives of our people,” he said.
The CEO of GIFEC, Sofo Tanko Rashid, emphasised the importance of community participation in development, particularly in creating opportunities for young people.
“Development must reach the people and create opportunities for them to participate meaningfully in the economy. Events that bring communities together also give us the opportunity to listen, engage and identify areas where we can support,” he said.
The First National Vice Chairman of the NDC, Chief Awudu Sofo Azorka, said unity remained essential to the development of the Nanung area.
“We cannot develop Nanung if we are divided. We must continue to work together, support our traditional authorities and create an environment where our young people can have hope for the future,” he said.
The First National Vice Chairman of the NDC, Chief Awudu Sofo Azorka also joined the walk alongside traditional leaders and residents.
FROM: GEOFFREY BUTA, BIMBILLA
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