Regional News of Friday, 15 August 2008

Source: GNA

Nkusukum Traditional Area outlines Odambea programme

Saltpond (C/R), Aug. 15, GNA - A traditional ruler has appealed to the Central Region Development Commission (CEDECOM) and the Ghana Tourist Board, (GTB) to help to advertise the Odambea festival of the people of Nkusukum traditional area to the outside world to attract investment.

Nana Ataapim Kweenu VIII, Omankrado, pointed out that through advertisement, facilities in the traditional area could be opened up to investors.

Nana Kweenu, who is also the Presiding Member of the Mfantseman Municipal Assembly, was briefing the media during which he outlined the programme for this year's Odambea celebration.

The theme for the weeklong celebration, which starts from August 24, is "rekindling the development spirit of Nkusukum-opportunities, challenges and the way forward".

Odambea is celebrated in the last week of August by 20 communities in the traditional area to remember revered ancestors of the land and also to mark the beginning of harvesting season.

Nana Kweenu said economic ventures, such as minerals, pineapples, citrus and oil palm, which abound in the area were not being fully exploited for the development of the area.

"We have minerals such as Kaolin, beryl, feldspar, spondumene columbine and oil and gas which are not being exploited", he said. Boat Regatta; Quiz competition for senior citizens; visits by Nananom to selected communities to perform propitiation; and street cannibals are some of the activities planned for the festival.