Apirede Odwira To Showcase Tourism

Nana Saforo Okoampa unveiling the Anniversary plague

The Chief of Apirede, Nana Saforo Okoampa III, has said the forthcoming Odwira festival which starts on December 29,2014  will be an event which will be used to showcase the tourism potentials of the town as well as open it up to investors in that sector.

Nana Saforo Okoampa  said this early this week when he held a durbar at the forecourt of his palace at Apirede in the Akuapem North Municipality of the Eastern Region to launch the 2014/15  Odwira festival which will be celebrated under the theme, 'Twenty Years of Harmony and Development'.

He said the township of Apirede holds a number of historic relics of the Akuapem state besides the physical features and mystery rock known as 'Okum Akwamu '.

Nana Saforo Okoampa also mentioned the sacred rock which served as a bed for Okomfo Anokye and from where he performed his spiritual activities.

He further said that years ago the town served as the armoury of the entire Akuapem community and till date the relics have been preserved.

Nana Saforo Okoampa who will be 20 years since his enstoolment as Chief of Apirede, also mentioned that he has put in place the 'Local Economic Committee' charged with the responsibility of further exploring poverty alleviation projects to help with the economic empowerment of the people.

The chief was happy that so far his reign has been characterised by good leadership which has resulted in the peace and harmony that continues to draw leadership and the people closer to each other.

He mentioned the successful tarring of the access roads to the town, provision of mechanised boreholes and renovation of two schools (Methodist and Presbyterian Church schools)—the cost of which was borne by the people through voluntary contributions—as some of the successes chalked under his watch.

After the launch at the palace, Nana Saforo Okoampa led the people present at the event to the main entry route to the town, where he unveiled the twentieth anniversary plaque.

The Mawerehemaa of Apirede, Nana Tiaah Darkoh I, who is also Miss Tourism, was happy that the council of elders had dedicated the celebration of the Odwira festival to the promotion of the tourism potentials of the town.

She added that a number of activities had been planned to make the celebration a historic one and used the opportunity to invite tourists and others to take advantage.

By Solomon ofori