The former Vice Chancellor of the University of Professional Studies (UPSA), Professor Joshua Alabi honored an invitation by the Chiefs and people of Mepe Traditional area, in the Volta Region, when he attended and chaired their 63rd Afenotor Festival held in Bartor, yesterday.

The colourful durbar of all the Chiefs, Clan Heads, Priests, with a rich display of culture, attracted thousands of people who cheered on the former Vice Chancellor when he described himself as an ancestral son of the land, and requested for a piece of land to put up a building in the area to cement the bond.

Chairman of the festival, Prof Alabi in his acceptance speech traced the historical connection between the people of Nungua, his hometown, and the people of Mepe, and explained by recounting how his Nungua ancestors had migrated from Nigeria, settled in Mepe, before moving westwards to go settle on the eastern parts of Accra.

He charged the youth of Mepe to rise up and be conquerors in whichever occupation they find themselves, just as their forebears were conquerors in their own fields of endeavor.

Prof Alabi who doubles as a former Minister of State and Member of Parliament, and rumored to be preparing to be President in 2021, arrived at the ceremony with a powerful delegation of Chiefs and Queen Mothers from Nungua, accompanied by some National Democratic Congress (NDC) politicians including Hon Richard Quashiga, MP for Keta, Hon. Nii Amasah Namoale, former MP for La Dadekotopon, Hon Daniel Amartey Mensah, National Executive Member of the NDC and former MCE for Ga East, and a host of others.

The ceremony was graced by the Minister of Culture and Religion, Hon Kofi Dzamesi, Deputy Minister of Health and MP for Weija Gbawe, Hon Tina Mensah, and also attracted the presence of some NDC MPs including the MP for the area, Hon Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, MP for Korle Klottey, Hon Zanetor Rawlings, MP for Afram Plains North, Hon Betty Krosby Nana Efua Mensah and MP for Afram Plains South, Hon Joseph Appiah Boateng.



The beautiful ceremony was nearly marred, when the former CEO of National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), who was not originally billed to address the crowd was unceremoniously allowed to share few words, only for him to walk to the microphone with a prepared speech which dwelled on the partisan political environment in the country, election 2016 results and the performance of the NPP government.

In an undiplomatic fashion, Mr. Silvester Mensah shockingly jabbed the Minister of Lands and Forestry, Hon Peter Amewu who was not at the program, as a "GALAMSEY MINISTER".

The uncharacteristically foul nature of the speech meant for a festive occasion, poisoned the atmosphere which had all been joy and full of camaraderie. As the agitations against him grew, the organisers of the program had to withdraw their decision to allow the former CEO give "some few words", and calmly asked him to resume his seat.

The MCE of the area did not take kindly to the partisan political speech and disabused the minds of the crowd. He further assured Hon Ablakwa that work work soon begin on the NHIS office project, so as to bring relief to the people.

As Chairman of the occasion, Prof Joshua Alabi in his closing remarks called for unity amongst political leaders and their people in order to drive development through collaboration.

He further charged the MP and MCE to work together to ensure that they can give a positive report to the people in a year's time that He will once again attend the festival.

He presented a cash cheque donation to the Traditional Council to support the development fund established by the people.