Unity, heritage take centre stage at Bakatue festival
A rich blend of culture from two distinct ethnic groups marked the climax of this year’s Bakatue Festival, celebrated by the chiefs and people of the Edina Traditional Area at Elmina in the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem (KEEA) Municipality of the Central Region.
The colourful event, held on Saturday, was graced by the Ga Mantse, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, who, as special guest of honour, added a touch of Ga tradition to complement the cultural displays by the people of Edina.
Members of the GaDangbe community in Elmina also played a prominent role, lining up to welcome the Ga Mantse with appellations such as “Abiasuma” and “Boni ooo Boni”, among other praise titles.
The festival, on the theme “Homecoming for Unity, Heritage and Development”, was climaxed with a grand durbar of chiefs.
The visit of the Ga Mantse also served as a moment of reflection on shared history, particularly the exile of King Tackie Tawiah I to the Elmina Castle by the British colonial government after he refused to support their war against the Asantes.
Addressing the gathering, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II said the Ga and Edina people were one family and expressed appreciation to the Paramount Chief of the Edina Traditional Area, Nana Kwadwo Conduah VI, for the invitation.
He further appealed to the Central Regional Minister to support the Edina Traditional Area with development projects to improve the living conditions of the people.
In his address, Nana Kwadwo Conduah VI called on the government to facilitate the completion of abandoned school buildings and provide a bus for the Edinaman Senior High School.
He also raised concern about inadequate staff accommodation at the Elmina Polyclinic and appealed for the construction of staff quarters for the facility.
The Edina Manhen further called for a review of existing contracts relating to the Elmina Castle to ensure that the Edina Traditional Council benefits financially from tourism revenue, noting that current arrangements exclude the council from receiving royalties.
The Central Regional Minister, Ekow Panyin Okyere Eduamoah, urged all stakeholders to work together to address sanitation challenges in the country.
He said responsible sanitation practices were a collective duty and called on the public to play their part in maintaining clean communities.
FROM DAVID O. YARBOI-TETTEH, ELMINA
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