Absence of libation at Independence celebration was right – Reverend

A member of the Council of State, Reverend Dr. Nii Amoo Darku says the absence of a traditional prayer during Ghana's 54th Independence Day parade in Accra on March 6 was right, adding that the celebration was not meant for traditional purposes.

According to him the children at the parade couldn't have performed such prayers perfectly without tasting alcohol.

Reverend Dr. Nii Amoo Darku said allowing children to drink alcohol would have been an irresponsible act on the part of the state.

Various traditionalists from the Ga state have condemned the government for allowing Christian and Muslim prayers and ignoring traditional prayers.

However, speaking to Citi News, Reverend Dr. Nii Amoo Darku said the children who were at the parade were from Muslim and Christian institutions and not traditional religious groups who pour libation hence there was no need for libation to be poured.

“The independence celebration was meant for children and children in those schools present were from religious schools such Christian and Muslim schools. I don't know whether we have any fetish school where we have children representing and therefore we were supposed to pour libation.

“From the traditional point of pouring libation the person who pours the libation must drink it and we use alcohol so are we teaching our children to drink alcohol, is that where we are heading for. So I think his Excellency has done well”.