A member of Dentsifo Asafo Company carrying the deer.
This year’s Aboakyir Festival, celebrated by the chiefs and people of Effutu, was observed in a peace manner.
It was on the theme, ‘Unity and Peace, key to development.
The festival has been negatively affected by the prolong chieftaincy dispute in the area.
The indigenes virtually abandoned some of the chiefs and members of the two Asafo companies.
The Denstifo No.2 Asafo Company managed to bring the animal to the durbar ground around 10:30am.
The Nyinfahene of the Effutu State Nana Kofi Takyi stepped on the deer in accordance with customs and traditions of the people to signify acceptance by the gods.
The paramount chief of the area, Neenyi Ghartey VII was absent due to a court injunction placed on him.
Addressing the gathering, the Central Regional Minister, Ebenezer K.T. Addo stated that no tourist would seek recreation in a volatile environment where his or her personal safety could only be guaranteed by the massive presence of security personnel.
Mr Addo urged the citizens to set aside their differences to avoid the recurrent skirmishes that had characterized the celebration of the festival over the years.
‘It is a fact that where there is constant conflict and social unrest, there is also low-level development and progress and that can affect us negatively since it does not create investor friendly environment to facilitate economic growth and development,’ he said
He reiterated the commitment of government to lessen the plight of the farmers and the fishermen in the region.
He expressed concern about the spate of road accidents in the Central Region and urged all road users to be cautious on the road, especially during the rainy season.
The regional minister advised the youth not to engage in indiscriminate unprotected sexual activities, among others.
The Tufuhene of the Effutu State, Neenyi Otuboa Siripi II, who spoke on behalf of the chiefs, noted that Nananom were doing everything possible to ensure absolute peace in the Effutu State.
According to him, the Effutu State needs peace and unity to ensure total development.
He therefore called on the citizenry, both home and abroad, to contribute their quota towards the development of the area.
‘Let us all eschew all negative tendencies that tend to affect the patronage of the event,’ he added.
He appealed to the government to fulfill its pledge to construct a landing site at the beach for the fisher folks in the area, as well as a modern market at Winneba Junction.
He further called for the upgrading of deplorable roads in the area.
Neenyi Sripi emphasized the need for government to provide adequate pre-mix to enhance the activities of fishermen.
The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Effutu, Nii Ephraim, praised the two Asafo Companies for the peaceful manner in which they conducted themselves before and during the celebration of the festival.
From Sarah Afful
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