Greater Accra Waala Naa enskinned, pledges unity and development

The newly enskinned Waala Naa of the Greater Accra Region, Naa Alhaji Abdul Kardir Ahmed Abdul Kardir, has pledged to prioritise unity, cultural preservation, youth empowerment and the socio-economic development of the Waala community in the region.

He said his leadership would work towards bringing together Waala people living in the various communities across the Greater Accra Region while promoting their traditional values, culture and language.

Naa Alhaji Abdul Kardir made the commitment during his enskinment ceremony held in Accra, which was attended by the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Dr Osmanu Nuhu Sharubutu, traditional leaders, Islamic scholars, elders, government representatives, members of the Waala community and other dignitaries.

The ceremony also featured prayers and other traditional and religious activities to mark the beginning of his reign.

Naa Alhaji Abdul Kardir said there were several initiatives in the pipeline aimed at addressing the basic needs of the Waala community and improving the welfare of its members.

He particularly stressed the need to promote Waala traditional heritage and culture, with emphasis on strengthening and preserving the Waala language in Accra.

He assured the community that his leadership would remain committed to programmes and initiatives that would contribute to the development and progress of Waala people in the Greater Accra Region.

Unity and Youth Empowerment
The Galadima of the Greater Accra Waala Chief, Alhaji Abdul Ganiu, said the first major initiative of the newly enskinned chief would be to unite Waala people living across the Greater Accra Region.

He explained that there were numerous Waala communities and families scattered across Accra, making it necessary to bring them together under one umbrella to identify their common challenges and basic needs and work towards finding sustainable solutions.

Alhaji Abdul Ganiu said the traditional leadership would also focus on empowering members of the community, particularly the youth.

He noted that several young people within the Waala community required educational support, especially those seeking admission to universities but needed financial assistance to pursue their education.

He said such young people would be considered for support as part of broader initiatives aimed at improving education and creating opportunities for the youth.

The Galadima added that the leadership would explore other programmes aimed at improving the welfare and development of the Waala community in the Greater Accra Region.

Call for Cooperation
The Chairman of the enskinment ceremony, Alhaji Tahiru Alhassan Sawaba, said the occasion marked not only a moment of joy and thanksgiving but also a reminder of the responsibilities associated with traditional leadership.

He congratulated Naa Alhaji Abdul Kardir on his enskinment and urged him to lead with humility, fairness, wisdom and integrity.

Alhaji Sawaba encouraged the new chief to make his palace a place where people could seek counsel, reconciliation and justice, while using his leadership to unite rather than divide the community.

He said the strength of a chief did not come only from the authority of the traditional institution but also from the trust, respect and confidence of the people.

He therefore urged Naa Alhaji Abdul Kardir to work closely with elders, youth, women, religious leaders, government institutions and other stakeholders to identify challenges confronting the Waala community and develop sustainable solutions.

Alhaji Sawaba also called on members of the Greater Accra Waala community to give the new chief the necessary cooperation, constructive advice and support to enable him to succeed.

He said unity remained the greatest strength of the community and urged members to put aside individual differences and concentrate on issues that brought them together.

Dignitaries
The enskinment ceremony was attended by the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Dr Osmanu Nuhu Sharubutu and the Eastern Regional Chief Imam who joined other regional Waala Chiefs and Islamic leaders and traditional authorities to witness the historic occasion.

New Chapter
The enskinment marks a new chapter in the history of the Waala traditional institution in the Greater Accra Region, with the new chief expected to provide leadership in promoting unity, cultural identity and the welfare of the Waala community.

Naa Alhaji Abdul Kardir said his administration would work with traditional leaders, religious authorities, elders, women, youth and other stakeholders to advance the interests of the community.

He called for collective support and cooperation from the Waala community, stressing that the success of his leadership would depend on the unity and active participation of the people.