The chiefs and people of Osudoku in the Shai Osudoku district of the Greater Accra Region, have celebrated their the annual Aadegbor Djehayemi Festival with a renewed call on government to consider the creation of a separate and autonomous district and constituency for Osudoku as well as initiate and expedite action on developmental projects in the Osudoku Traditional Area and the Shai Osudoku District as a whole.

Though the Osudoku Traditional Area in 2017 petitioned the president, Nana Akufo-Addo for the creation of a separate and autonomous district and constituency for Osudoku, the petition was disqualified due to its low economic/financial status.

It was in this regard that the paramount chief, His Royal Majesty, Aadegbor Ngmongmowoyaa Kwesi Animle V renewed his appeal, arguing that the economic/financial status of the area had improved tremendously as a result of the influx of investors and economic activities.

This year’s event was on the theme: “mobilizing our human and natural resources for socio economic growth through traditional leadership.”

Aadegbor Ngmongmowoyaa Kwesi Animle V who touted the agrarian potentials of the Shai Osudoku Traditional Area during the celebrations on Saturday, September 28, 2019 at the Osuwem School Park however regretted the poor state of the traditional area which he described as the “remotest and under-developed traditional area in the Greater Accra Region” despite its proximity to the national capital, Accra.

The paramount chief also appealed to government to expedite action on the construction of the Eastern corridor road which passes through the traditional area and its bridge at Volivo as well as the construction of feeder roads in the traditional area as “there is not a single tarred road in the whole traditional area.”

The Aadegbor Djehayemi Festival was instituted two years ago, by Nene Kiagbordjor Animle V with the objective to put in modifications and innovations to make the festival compete with 21st century standards relevant to the history and more importantly development oriented without trampling on the rich tradition, customs and culture of the people of Osudoku.

He also strongly called on the indigenes of Osudoku to dissociate themselves from the “diabolical and dangerous activities of the Ablao Priest which is a serious threat to the peace and security of the area.”

The paramount chief who roundly condemned the actions of the Wor Ablao High Fetish Priest and his associates on “plans to ferment trouble” said documents available to him on the outcome of various meetings with his accomplices details extensive plans to form a new traditional council known as the Gbese Aboriginal Council to reclaim headship and paramountcy of Osudoku with the aim “to rid the Osudoku Traditional Council of criminal and illegitimate chiefs and officials.”

He said though a committee has been constituted to deal with the high priest amicably, the security agencies must also play their part by investigating the matter to ensure that the peace is maintained in the area.

Deputy Minister of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Paul Essien (MP) who represented the President His Excellency, Nana Akuffo Addo who recounted the commencement of the festival in 2017 was confident that its celebration would mark an important point in harnessing the development of the district.

The President noted in his speech that, there would be no improved socio-economic development if chieftaincy issues and environmental degradation were not dealt with, adding that government was in the process of creating more traditional councils in traditional area with paramountcies to expedite action on chieftaincy cases.

“These two critical issues, chieftaincy issues and environmental degradation are affecting every facet of our national life. The government in its quest to reduce chieftaincy disputes and promote peace and development has decided to increase the provision of resources to the chieftaincy institution and also create more traditional councils in traditional areas with paramountcies to expedite action on chieftaincy cases.

President Akufo-Addo also called on all to embrace the many government interventions aimed at improving the lives of the people including planting for food, jobs and export, free senior high school, 1D1F, providing jobs to graduates through the NABCO programme, among others.

He also outlined a number of developmental projects being constructed by his government including road projects, schools, CHPS compounds, among others.
District Chief Executive for Shai Osudoku, Mr. Daniel Akuffo in his position as chairman of the District Security Committee (DISEC) while commending the chiefs and people of the Osudoku Traditional Area for keeping faith with the festival however admonished the parties involved in the chieftaincy dispute to resort to dialogue to amicably settle all differences between them.

The DCE who cited the proximity of the district to the national capital, Accra, for the developing phenomenon of land guards said residential and industrial activities were gradually heading towards the Shai Osudoku District since Accra is congested, resulting in the increase of handguard activities and its associated security threats.

In a bid to curb the activities of land guards in the district, the DCE said the development if not checked posed security threats and therefore cautioned perpetrators of such acts to desist from those activities or risk being dealt with by the law.

The Assembly Chief enumerated a number of developmental projects being undertaken by the Akuffo Addo Government And The Shai Osudoku District Assembly including a total of 22-unit classroom blocks at Osuwem, Volivo and Lanor respectively, a total of 40-seater WC toilet facilities at various locations in the district and some health facilities with the firm assurance to undertake further developments in the district.

Mr. Daniel Akuffo who regretted the assembly’s inability to punish sanitation offenders as part of efforts to maintain a clean environment in line with the president’s vision however disclosed that the required by-laws to punish offenders had been passed awaiting to be gazetted.

He therefore took the opportunity to inform the citizenry to take advantage of the national sanitation day clean up exercises since sanitation is a collective responsibility.

Greater Accra Regional Minister, Ishmael Ashitey who acknowledged traditional leaders as partners in development acknowledged the appropriateness of the theme: “Mobilizing our human and natural resource for socio-economic growth hinges on a knowledge-driven global economy and this is what we need to attain our sustainable development goals,” said the minister.

Mr. Ashitey who was confident of the tourism prospects of the Shai Osudoku Traditional area said this was highly possible if its potentials in waterfalls, ancestral caves, wildlife, forestry and forests are effectively harnessed.

The Shai Osudoku District is also noted for its vast arable land, a development the regional minister observed would be the bread basket for the Greater Accra Region and the country if it was well utilized.

He therefore extended an invitation to the investor community to explore Shai Osudoku’s “numerous investment opportunities.”

An invitation was also extended to the chiefs and people of Shai Osudoku to support government’s flagship program, “one district, one factory program’ under the district industrialization for rural employment and national economic improvement designed to equip and empower communities to utilize their natural resources in manufacturing products that are in high demand both locally and internationally.

His Royal Majesty, Aadegbor Ngmongmowoyaa Kwesi Animle V swore and renewed his oath to the Osudoku Stool.

Divisional Chiefs from six Divisions also swore and renewed their allegiance to Aadegbor Ngmongmowoyaa Kwesi Animle V.

Prizes were resented to various teams who excelled in various sporting activities including football, canoe racing, Queen’s competition, etc.