The Chiefs and people of the Apinto Divisional Stool have marked their annual Amankuma festival at a grand and colourful durbar of chiefs to bring the one-week festivity an end.

The festival which drew Ministers of state, dignitaries and other from all walk of life was a display of the rich culture of the people of Apinto who fall under the Wassa Fiase Traditional Council (WFTC).

Considering the number of Ministers who were present at the Amankuma festival, everything pointed to the fact that the occasion was momentous.

Professor Kwabena Frimpong Boateng, Minister of Science, Environment and Technology, Hon. Joe Gharteys, Minister of Railway Development, Hon, Barbara Oteng Gyasi, Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, the Deputy Western Regional Minister, Hon, George Mireku Duker, MP for Tarkwa and Vice Chairman of Parliamentary Committee on Mines and Energy. Mr. Alfred Baku, Executive Vice President of Goldfields Ghana Limited was the chairman of the Occasion.

Nana Kobina Angu II, Divisional Chief of Apinto was in a state surrounded by his other sub-chiefs was dressed in a resplendent and expensive kente cloth marking the 41st anniversary on the Apinto stool.

Sitting close on his right hand was Gyasehene (Chief Administrator), Nana Dr. Adarkwa Bediako III who is also the chief of Kotokyere and the Queen mother of the Stool, Nana Esi Kwatenmaa.

Addressing the grand durbar of chiefs, Nana Kwabena Angu thanked God for another year to celebrate the Amankuma festival adding “we have reasons to celebrate this year”.

This is because 2018 had been a very successful year with many Pleasants gifts from God. One of the finest gifts the chief who is known for his strong faith in God was the gift of life and good health.

The Apintohene used the occasion to thank the government for the introduction of the free Senior High School initiative and his pursuant for the preservation of the environment through the “Stop Galamsey” programme.

Continuing, the Apinto king announced to his subjects that from January next year, there shall no wake for the dead on his land.

That applied to all communities on Apinto land. The festival was used to honour deserving citizens, teachers and companies who have worked to promote the Apinto Division.

For example, Goldfields Ghana Limited was presented with an award as the best Corporate Social Responsibility mining company.

Nana Dr. Afarkwa Bediako III, Gyasehen who presented the award said there was no doubt that GGL was honoured with the award considering the number of developmental projects initiated for host communities.

He mentioned, for instance, the tarring of the Tarkwa Damang highway amongst others as a clear indication of GGL willingness to initiate projects in the interest and betterment of host communities.