Nene Teidjahene Korabo IV, the Senior Asafoatse of the Shai Osudoku Traditional Area, has urged the youth of Manya Jorpanya in the Greater Accra Region to abstain from behaviors that might cause division in the community.

Even though Nene Korabo had worked for the advancement of his people, he claimed that only a small number of backwards-thinking individuals had promised to undo the hard-won progress made thus far.

Therefore, he appealed to the young to join him and his elders in eradicating these villains from the neighborhood and establishing Manya Jorpanya as the people of the Shai Osudoku Traditional Area's glimmer of hope.

Making the call at the celebration of this year’s Ngmayem festival by the chiefs and people of Manya Jorpanya last Saturday, he said: “We have come from far and as a people with one destiny and one destination, we ought to be seen working as a team to achieve the same purpose.”

He further urged the youth to uphold the peace they were enjoying in the area and emulate such a gesture from their leader.

The festival was also used to mark the 24th anniversary of his enstoolment as the chief of the area.

The festival, which is celebrated annually, is aimed at harnessing great strides, bridging the gap between the rich and the poor, counting the achievements and ensuring ultimate peace among indigenes of Manya Jorpanya and surrounding communities.

The occasion was on the theme: “Upholding our cultural values after the COVID-19 Pandemic”.

Peace

Addressing a durbar to climax the festival, Nene Korabo commended the people of Manya Jorpanya for the discipline, dedication and exhibition of peace among themselves, which had become the subject of discussion by neighbouring communities.

“As a chief, who has the people at heart, I have made it my policy to uphold the principles and values of my forebears in high esteem and until each person is provided with basic amenities I will not rest,” he stated.

“In September each year, the chiefs, elders and the people of Manya Jorpanya ensure that we gather at a unique ground to share the achievements and put in place measures to keep us above and not below.

He said despite the challenges, much of his efforts were inspired by dedicated and dynamic family heads, subchiefs, queenmothers, opinion leaders and other citizens and he thanked them for their immense contributions towards the successful development in the area.

He appealed to residents of the area to rally behind their elders to make Manya Jorpanya a haven.

Commendation

Speaking on behalf of the District Chief Executive (DCE) of the Shai Osudoku Area, Fred Ofei Twum, the Presiding Member of the area, Noah Sobutey, stated that the achievements of Nene Korabo had received a commendation from across the traditional area and attributed this to his selflessness, dedication to his core mandate and his openness and readiness to listen to everyone.

He, therefore, urged the youth to remain resolute and optimistic as the district continued to find ways and means to reduce unemployment and, therefore, reduce poverty in the area and in Ghana.

Truthfulness

The Chief of Gomoa Dasum, Nana Obokomatta IX, said governance was a shared responsibility and as such even though traditional leaders had made frantic efforts to bring relief and development to their respective areas, it behoved politicians to be truthful and respect the views of the people.