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02.10.2009 News

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE AND EARTHDANCE 2009 CELEBRATED IN GHANA

By ICACA AfricaSankofa
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE AND EARTHDANCE 2009 CELEBRATED IN GHANA
02.10.2009 LISTEN

Ghanaians have been called upon to embrace peace in every facet of human endeavor to make sure that the country's democracy runs on its course smoothly and successfully. The government and the various community leaders and institutions were also called upon to put structures in place to give opportunities to young people as well as the youth to ensure that they become successful global citizens. These calls were made simultaneously at Kwadaso, a suburb in Kumasi and at Mankessim and New Edubiase at the week end during a special event, Earthdance 2009 organized by the International Centre for African Culture & Arts in collaboration with some governmental and private organizations in Ghana.

EARTHDANCE is a global celebration of peace and environmentalism one weekend in September. It's an annual celebration project held worldwide around the globe on the same weekend. Now over a decade old, the celebration combines live music with a brief interlude of prayer and a world peace to link up with other people around the world celebrating EARTHDANCE at over 500 locations in over 80 countries. Programs held in each country reflects the country's cultural needs but are celebrated to specifically meet a global theme set by a central coordinating organizing body, a US based EARTHDANCE International. This year's theme was "Blessing the Children" as events around the world focused on causes and programs that support children both locally and internationally.

Speaking at Mankessim, Nana Kofi Akoonu I, an ex-Assemblyman from the Mfantseman Municipal, an educationist and the International Centre for African Culture & Arts ( I.C.A.C.A) acting director in Ghana called on parents to empower their children with the best investment in formal education. He called on the government to introduce formal studies in the arts to teach young people to learn creative skills which will translates into critical thinking and citizenry skills. Ms. Felicia Okai, a staff of a local NGO, the Centre for Human Development & Social Change,Ghana also called on all Ghanaians to respect the will of children, raise them to express themselves rather than restricting and controlling their freedoms.

At New Edubiase, Mr. Wiilie Klutse, the director of NCCE in the Adansi-South district advised parents to send their children to school. He also cautioned against child abuse in the community. Other speakers at New Edubiase were Ms. Grace Otoo, Mr. Kwame Ataapem of Accra and Dr. Peter Reekes, a medical officer from Liberia who all spoke about how to succesfully raise children in Ghana.

Mr. Kwabena Osei-Wusu and Alhaji Mustapha Meijina, two prominent businessmen and enterpreneurs based at Kwadaso were the special guest speakers for the Earthdance Kumasi. They called on the people in the community especially moslem youth not to dabble in violent politics but to embrace peace so that the community can develop in peace. They advised the youth after a community service of cleaning the local market and the places of convenience. Cultural and music groups that peformed at the event after the prayer interlude were Maame Akua Owusu Nwomkro from Assin Juakuso, Adansiman Adowa group from Adansi Paapamso and the King of Kings Sounds.

Sponsors of the programmes included the International Centre for African Culture & Arts (US Ofiice), the OBAATANPA House of Hope Inc, USA, the Ghana Chapter of the Percussive Arts Society and the National Commission for Civic Education,Adansi South District.

In a related event, the ICACA and some community churches at Mankessim celebrated the International Day for Peace on September 21st with a PEACE Concert at the Obaatanpa International Centre near Nananom.

According to the staff of International Centre for African Culture & Arts (ICACA ) preparations are already in place towards hosting the 2010 editions of both EarthDance and the International Day of Peace in Ghana. They appealed to all Ghanaians especially High schools who wants to host events related to the Peace causes to contact them for advice and assistance.

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