Narration: The 23rd Samanpiid Festival of the Chiefs and People of the Bawku Traditional Area has been celebrated in grand style at Bawku in the Upper East Region. The colourful durbar under the distinguish patronage of the Zug-Raan Bawku–Naba Asigri Abugrago Azoka was celebrated on the theme: Tolerance for Mutual Understanding for peace and Development”. In attendance were sons and daughters of Bawku and its environs as well as dignitaries including chiefs, departmental heads, ministers of state, and members of parliament among other key personalities. Correspondent Isaac Asare witnessed the ceremony and has come through with this report.
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This year’s Samanpiid festival celebrated by the people of Bawku and its environs is essentially a joyous occasion which brings together sons and daughters of Kasaug both home and abroad. It is celebrated to strengthen the bond of unity and affinity among the ethnic divides of the area. It is a time for family reunion, reconciliation and stock taking of the development of the traditional area and a period set aside for thanksgiving to the gods for guiding the people through the farming season successfully. This year’s event was described as unique since the people of the area are currently enjoying relative peace after years of protracted conflict among two feuding factions in the area. Addressing participants at the function, the Minister for chieftaincy and Culture, Alexander Asum Ahesah who spoke on behalf of the President, His Excellency Prof. J.E.A Mills said government will stimulate growth and promote development for job creation. He said government accordingly in the 2011 budget statement has set out for the implementation of a number of projects targeted towards the realization of the set objective. Mr. Asum Ahesah mentioned the STX housing projects as one of the key projects expected to ensure the construction of 200,000 affordable housing units across the country. He added that government has already secured a loan of 75 million dollars from the International Development Association to improve and upgrade the water sector in six regions of which Upper East Region is a true beneficiary. About 20,000 boreholes he pointed out would be constructed in most rural communities across the country starting from 2011 fiscal year. Touching on the road network in the country, Mr Asum Ahesah noted that work on the Eastern Corridor road which is poised to link southern part of the country to the northern sector will begin next year. According to him the central road from Paga through Tamale to Kintampo would commence soon. Moreover, the road from Nakong to Tumu which is in a deplorable state has already been awarded on contract and is expected to be completed before the end of 2011. Mr. Asum Ahensa did not leave out the railway line from Offinso to Paga stressing that the project would commence next year. The Upper East Regional Minister, Mark Woyongo appealed to the people to use the occasion as a vehicle for reconciliation and forgiveness. He expressed government’s commitment to ensuring lasting peace in Bawku. Mr. Woyongo also cautioned the people against promiscuous lifestyles and urged them to use the occasion as a vehicle for reconciliation and forgiveness. He expressed government’s commitment to ensuring lasting peace in Bawku. Mr Woyongo also cautioned the people against promiscuous lifestyles and urged them to join in the fight against HIV and AIDS pandemic. Mr. Woyongo also appealed to them to go for the voluntary testing and counseling to know their status and to keep to it. The Bawku MCE, Musa Abdullai, said government is determined to ensure the speedy development of the Bawku and its environs and urged the people of the area to continue to live in peace and eschew divisive tendencies to bring about relative peace in the area.
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