Tema, April 02, GNA- Mr Seth Laryea Tetteh, Presiding Member of the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA), has called on Ghanaians to respect and protect their tradition.

Mr Tetteh, who is an elder of the Tema Traditional Council (TTC), said people could only portray their true identity through the practice of their cultural values. The presiding member made the call on Tuesday, when he chaired a durbar of family heads and traditional leaders in Tema Manhean to outdoor a new Tema Wulomo (Chief Priest), five Asafoanyemei and five Asafoatsemei.

He urged family heads and traditional leaders to ensure that they teach their people and children the traditions of their lands for them to pass it on to other generations. Mr Tetteh further called on the people to desist from practices that would create misunderstandings and conflicts among the natives and the nation as a whole.

The 26 year old carpenter, Nii Ashiboi Kofi II, the new Sakumo Wulomo (Tema Wulomo) who is known in private life as Paa Tee was confined in a room for two weeks, where customary rights were performed for him, prior to his outdooring.

Nii Kofi II replaces the late Nii Densu II, who died six months ago, after being indisposed for two years. To officially take the mantle as the spiritual head of Tema, the Sakumo Wulomo poured his maiden libation and asked for the blessings of the ancestors for the people, the chief and the traditional leaders. The Asafoatsemei, who were also confined for a week, swore an oath of allegiance to the Tema Traditional Council and were presented with a whip symbolizing their authority to defend the people. The colourful durbar, which was graced by Nii Adjei Kraku II, Tema Mantse was attended by a large number from Tema Manhean and surrounding communities.