Ntotroso Traditional Area Foster Development With Apomasu Festival

Date published: February 26, 2014
 
From Michael Boateng, Ntotroso
 
The Chiefs and people of Ntotroso in the Asutifi North District have climaxed the celebration of their biannual Apomasu festival to foster development in the area.

The colourful pageantry of custom and tradition was at its best, as it attracted people from all walks of life with diverse background, including traditional rulers, the clergy and politicians.

Series of activities preceded the grand durbar which was climaxed under the theme: 'Pursuing Quality Health - The Role of the Nursing Training Institute,' was used to promote peace, unity and development at Ntotroso.

It was used to officially inaugurate the Ntotroso College of Nursing, which was a dream come through for the chiefs and people of Ntotroso after two years of deliberating over how to improve upon the health situation of the area.

In his welcome address, Barimah Twereku Ampem, Ntotrosohene and President of Ahafo North Divisional Council, disclosed that the chiefs and people of Ntotroso considers the Nursing School the greatest asset of a Nation that ensures maximum productivity in the development agenda.

Barimah Twereku Ampem indicated that the leaders of Ntotroso have been hammering on its agenda to ensure quality healthcare delivery, hence a collective efforts that have yielded a modest start of the Ntotroso College of Nursing.

He emphasized that the building of the Nursing School has engaged the attention of the leaders and people over a long period and currently it has become a reality.

'The presence of the Nursing School means we are ready to do things that will promote Quality Health delivery in this part of Ghana, mindful of both preventive and curative aspects of quality health delivery.' He said.

Barimah Twereku Ampem, was grateful to the Government of Ghana especially his Excellency President John Dramani Mahama who gave the seed money of GHC5, 000 for a start and Otumfour Osei Tutu II, the Asanetehene for his personal support for the idea.

The Ntotorosohene also recognized the Ministry of Health for the approval, Newmont Ghana Gold and Newmont Ahafo Development Foundation (NADeF) that provided 90% funding, the Asutifi North District Assembly that gave immense backing and the Ntotoroso Sustainable Development Committee that did the background work.

The Acting General Manager, Newmont Ghana Gold Limited Ahafo Mine, Joshua Mortotsi indicated that it was heartwarming to know that out of Newmont's contributions to NADeF, the people of Ntotroso have established an ultra-modern college of health to train Nurses and other health professionals, for its communities and the country at large.

Mr. Mortotsi revealed that a total estimate of One Million, Three Hundred and Twenty-nine thousand, Three Hundred and Thirty-Four Ghana Cedis, sixty-Five pesewas (GHC1, 329, 334. 65) has been spent in the provision of some facilities for the establishment of the school.

Some of the facilities includes; fully furnished classroom and Administrative block, principal's bungalow, Dining Hall complex, Two-storey dormitory block, demonstration items for the skills laboratory, computers for the computer center, and a brand new 4×4 Toyota Hilux Pick-up for the school.

The Paramount Chiefs included Nana Osei Kofi Abiri of Kenyase Number One in the Asutifi-North District and Nana Bofo Bene the Fourth of Dwenem-Awasu in the Jaman-South District who is also the Vice-President of the Brong-Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs.

Others were Nana Acheamfour Baah, Twafohene of Bantama who represented the Asantehene, Otumfuor Osei Tutu the Second, and Boaman Bofotia Boa-Amponsem the Second, Krontihene of Sunyani, who stood in for the Paramount Chief, Nana Bosoma Asor Nkrawiri the Second.

Tradition was at its best when, Barima Twireku Ampem the Second, Chief of Ntotroso and Nana Kwartemaa Amponsah, Queen-mother, gorgeously dressed and riding in palanquins, arrived at the ground dancing to the tunes of 'Fontonfrom' drums.