Builsa assembly apologies for assault on DCE

Sandema (U/E), Jan. 2, GNA - The Builsa District Assembly in the Upper East Region have apologised to President John Agyekum Kufuor, for what they referred to as the "unfortunate incident" that occurred during the "Feok" festival at Sandema on Thursday, 18 December, 2003. The assembly also apologised to the Regional Minister, Mahami Salifu, the Minister of State for Tertiary Education, Elizabeth Ohene, the District Chief Executive (DCE) the Reverend James Agalic, the government and people of Ghana.

This is contained in a communiqu=E9 adopted by the Assembly at an emergency meeting at Sandema on December 30, 2003. The assembly said it viewed the physical assault on the DCE and the subsequent disruption of the festival as an embarrassment not only to the chiefs and people of Builsa, but also to the government and people of Ghana.

"Being a traditional festival of thanksgiving to the Almighty God and our ancestors, as well as a commemoration of the victory of our forefathers over notorious slave raiders like Samori and Babatu, Feok should not be used by any person or group as a vehicle to create disorder and disunity in our peaceful district," the communiqu=E9 said. It added that the assembly had received news of the assault with shock and dismay, and "completely condemns and disassociates itself from the act."

The communique further said as a preventive measure against such recurrences in future, the assembly would henceforth work closely with the Builsa Traditional Council in the organisation of the festival and take the necessary steps to redeem the image of the people of the area. In the presence of the Regional Minister, the Minister of State for Tertiary Education, the Sandem-Nab Ayieta Azantilow and other dignitaries, a group of people physically assaulted the Builsa DCE during the traditional Feok festival at Sandema on December 18, 2003, thereby bringing the event to an abrupt end.