Ahanta chiefs show the way …launch Ayindamanle Development Association, bag ¢470m for education fund

AT LONG last, the Ayindamanle (Ahantaman) Development Association (ADA), with the sole vision to facilitate and promote the development, growth and improvement of all facets in the Ahanta way of life, has finally been launched at a colourful ceremony, over the weekend.

The launch of the Association, which was attended by dignitaries from all over the country, also coincided with the launching of the Ahantaman Educational Fund, which was on the theme: 'Development through the Promotion of Education, Industry and Environment.'

The Association has the motto 'Arinda tobia anal Owudo ko bayikyi' to wit, 'in unity lies our strength.'

The Association is under the initiative of traditional chiefs from Ahanta land, stretching from Dixcove through Takoradi to Shama.

The preparation and adoption of this constitutional body (Ayindamanle Development Association), was the first major step in the efforts of Otumfuo Baidoo Bonsoe XV, the King of Ahantaman, to organise the chiefs and people of the traditional area, to play roles in promoting economic activities, unity, peace, social cohesion, and protect the heritage, tradition and customs, of Ahantaman.

Furthermore, to also promote the development of the human capital base of Ahantamanm, in terms of education, acquisition of skills, and application of technology to industrial development.

It was the view of the Association, that past administrations and investors had made use of the various resources in Ahantaland, and the indigenes had neither been involved in the investments, nor benefited from them.

To this end, the chiefs wished to see the situation where exploitation of the resources in Ahantaland, goes on with the participation of indigenes, as investors.

Though, the chiefs do not intend to be active participants, in the investment and exploitation of resources, they plan to play a catalyst role, by promoting and facilitating the activities of investors and administrators on their soil.

It was therefore not surprising, when at the launch of the programme, Nana Kobina Nketsiah V, Omanhene of the Essikado Traditional Area and Chairman of the Association, told the ceremony that what they (chiefs) were doing was for the benefit of all Ahantaman.

According to Nana Kobina Nketsiah, the chiefs had a sacred responsibility, to ensure that proper care was taken of what they had been entrusted with. To him, if Ahanta's stood in unity, the whole region would stand in unity.

Professor Kwesi Jonah, speaking on why the Association was formed, expressed regret over the situation where the people of Ahanta, over the years, had not been able to organise themselves effectively, to benefit from the substantial economic contributions they had made.

He recounted how with the rubber and palm plantations, the people of Ahanta had contributed immensely to the development of Ghana.

Consequently, he expressed the hope that the formation of the association would not be a nine-day wonder.

To him, the association had come to stay, to play the pivotal role, as the spearheaded of the structure of the Ahanta people, for peace, unity and development.

He pointed out that the bedrock of the Ahantaman strategy, was two-fold - to maintain the unity of chiefs and their people, and to work closely with other chiefs and people of the region, to ensure the unimpeded success of the development of Ahantaman.

On his part, the King of Ahanta, Nana Baidoe Bonsoe XV, appealed to his sub-chiefs to ensure that unity and development thrived in Ahantaland.

Present at the ceremony were the Nigerian High Commissioner in Ghana, His Excellency Senator Musilu Obanikro, the Member of Parliament for the Area, Mr. Samuel Johnfiah, the Catholic Bishop of Sekondi-Takoradi, Most Rev. Matthew Darko, and other dignitaries.

Members of the Board of Trustees of the Association were also inducted into office

HISTORY OF AHANTA The people of Ahanta celebrate the popular Kundum Festival, which means 'eat to satiate yourself.' The Kundum origination is shrouded in antiquity, but tradition has it that the festival is celebrated to commemorate the first successful maize harvest. The main staple of the Ahanta's is maize. Tradition has it that after the Ahanta's had settled down at the Coast, because they did not know the appropriate time for maize planting, famine was rampant.