The Konor of Yilo Klo State, Oklepeme Nuer Anorbaa Sasraku II, has cut the sod for the construction of a new multipurpose palace in Somanya in the Eastern Region of Ghana.

The construction of the Yilo State Palace, projected to be completed within a year, is to be financed by contributions from public groups, organizations, and individuals.

The reconstruction process for the GHS 10 million state-of-the-art facility is to replace the existing palace, which has variously been described as not fit for purpose, with the building lacking adequate security features, insufficient living accommodation, offices, and sanitary facilities.

The current palace built over 100 years ago has seen no major rehabilitation or facelift and is currently in a dilapidated state, hence the urgent need to build a befitting palace and to renovate the old building to a befitting status to serve the royal, traditional, and cultural needs.

The project, when completed, will have a royal residence, prayer hall, offices for the paramountcy, offices for the traditional council, a mini-suite for each division, a museum, and a hall of fame.

Other features will include a library, conference rooms, a police post, a tribunal, a wall of fame, and others.

The new facility is expected to not only reflect its status as a modern palace but also be intentionally designed to reflect the heritage of the Yilo Klo people.

Oklepeme, who is the head of the Palace Construction Committee, said it was high time the people of Yilo Klo recognized the need to put up a palace befitting the status of Yilo Klo State, adding that the current state of the facility was unacceptable.

“We’ve come to the point where we need to appreciate the fact that we don’t have a palace; we just have something representing a palace,” said the Konor, adding that the current state of the building was not befitting of its status as the official residence of the Konor and his elders.

He expressed his appreciation to benevolent individuals and organizations who have contributed toward the project since 2023 and appealed for further assistance to ensure that the Yilo Klo State Palace sees the light of day.

The traditional leader charged the heads of various institutions to ensure that they raise the needed funds as their quota toward the project.

Explaining the motivation behind the construction of the new edifice, Vice Chairman of the Paramountcy Projects Committee and Materials Mobilization Committee, Felix Kortey Korley Nuertey, explained that the existing palace in its current state did not befit its role as custodian of the Konor, Neneme, and their elders.

He said, “It has been in existence for over a hundred years, and there’s a need for us to renovate and add an edifice.”

Mr. Nuertey posited that the lack of enticing emoluments in the Yilo Klo area was a major concern, adding that the construction of the palace would go a long way toward becoming a major tourism destination for several activities.

On his part, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of Yilo Krobo Municipal Assembly, Eric Tetteh, who chaired the day's event, called on the citizenry to give generously toward the project.

Various heads of institutions present at the event assured the Konor and the fundraising committee that they would undertake the necessary fundraising to support the project.

Launch of 2024 Kloyosikplemi Festival:

The event also served as a platform for the Yilo Klo Traditional Council, in collaboration with the Kloyosikplemi Planning Committee, to launch this year’s Kloyosikplemi Festival and pave the way for its celebration in November.

This year’s event, to be held on the theme "Redefining the Tourism Story of Yilo Klo State for Infrastructural Development," will be held from November 2 to November 18, 2024.

Explaining the focus of this year’s celebration, Mr. Nuertey indicated that it fell in line with the vision of the paramount chief to adopt a focus every year as part of the celebrations of the festival, with this year’s focus being tourism.

“You know, last year, HRM Oklepeme Nuer Anorbaa Sasraku II and his elders, aside from each year’s theme or focus, began tying developmental projects to the festival celebrations. In continuation of that, we are not just going to do the usual Kloyosikplemi festival but there should be a focus every year, and this year, the focus is tourism, and this year, we’re targeting the youth, trying to focus on catching them young and then inculcating the culture into their lives,” he explained.

The selection of tourism as the theme for this year’s festival addresses young people’s lack of knowledge about the heritage and culture of the Yilo people.

The festival is also to empower the people of Yilo Klo who are outside the borders of this country, and others to patronize the rich culture and tourism of the people.

The vice chairman added that revenue accrued from this activity would be channeled into contributing toward the construction of the edifice.