By Mercy Arthur, GNA
Ningo-Prampram. July 30, GNA – Nene Tetteh Wakah III, Paramount Chief of Prampram Traditional Area, has launched this year’s Homowo festival at the Forecourt of the Ningo-Prampram District Assembly.
The launch was organised jointly by the Ningo-Prampram Traditional Council and the Ningo-Prampram District Assembly on the theme “Love and Unity,” which is scheduled to come off from August 3 to September 3, 2023.
The activities for the celebration included clean-up exercise, cooking competition, fashion show, sprinkling of kpekple, football soccer gala, street carnival, canoe racing and card competition, health walk and screening, art and culture fair, Dangbe Quiz, and marathon race, among others.
Speaking to Ghana News Agency, Tema Regional Entertainment Team at the launch, Nene Tetteh Wakah III stated that the significance of the celebration of the Homowo festival was to unite the people of Ningo-Prampram for a better development; hence, every individual needs to forgive each other because the natives of this town were known as peaceful people.
He stated that Ningo-Prampram has resources; hence, he would do his best for the town to be great. Therefore, prior to the Homowo celebrations, they did perform some traditional rites, which showed that the festival would be a great one this year.
Nene Afutu Nartey III, Chief of Afienya, said the Homowo celebration stands for unity, and the meaning of the sprinkling of kpekple signifies thanksgiving.
That, not withstanding the clean-up activities, would help clean the environment and maintain cleanliness for the celebrations.
He noted that any disputes among the natives of the town should be resolved to help celebrate the festival, and if anyone violates this principle of unity, they will be held responsible.
Nene Afutu III urged the youth to respect the elders of the town and maintain good moral behaviour towards this celebration because the town is known for peace.
Naa Osabu Abbey I, the Paramount Queen Mother of Prampram Traditional Area, added that the natives of Prampram abroad and within Greater Accra should come together to celebrate the festival.
Thus, she stated that the ‘Kpelejoo’ went well, and hence she pleaded with all to maintain unity for a peaceful celebration.
She advised the youth to dress decently because the celebration would attract others into the town to witness the celebrations as well.
Mr. Alexander Martey, a leading member of the New Patriotic Party in the district who spoke on behalf of the Ningo-Prampram District Chief Executive, stated that Homowo, which means “hooting at hunger,” stands for unity, as the chiefs have described.
He said even though their crisis has been resolved in the town, every native of Prampram living abroad should come around to celebrate together for its development, and he called for the natives to involve themselves to support the celebration.
Mr. John Narh Nartey, Chief Executive Officer of Joe Nartey Constructions, who chaired the launch, thanked everyone and called for the support of all for the celebration.
Mr. Eugene Nii Martey Charway, Member of Prampram Traditional Council and Planning Committee, added that the activities involved were already in existence, even though there has been an update, and he is willing to initiate some of the activities as an annual celebration in the town.
Thus, in terms of development, it involves two sectors, the Traditional and the government, and calls for the government’s interventions as key stakeholders to support the town for better development, as they will also do their possible best.
He mentioned that unity also plays a role in development and called for all natives of the community, either abroad or in the town, to come together to celebrate the festive season.
The guests presented at the event were Muslim leaders, Traditional leaders, government officials, department Heads, Cultural dancers, politicians, and a cross section of the public.
