Apirade- Akwapim celebrates annual Odwira Festival

The Chiefs and People of Apirade Akwapim have climaxed the annual Odwira festival with a durbar of Chiefs at Apirade in the Eastern region.

The Festival which was under theme: ''sustaining development tourism,'' was also coincided with the 20th anniversary of the installation of Nana Saforo Okuampa (III).

The gathering brought together opinion leaders, clergy, political leaders and the chiefs and people of the region.

This year's festival was under the Theme: ''Twenty Years of Harmony and Development''.

Delivering his welcome address, Nana Saforo okuampa(III) was grateful to the Almighty God for the peace and success of the area since enstoolment as the chief of the area. He stressed that, the traditional area has put lots of strategies in place to accelerate the development in the area.

He added that, one key area they strive to focus on this year is the Sustainable Tourism Agenda. He said it is that light that they invited the Minister of Tourism, Culture & Creative Arts to be the special guest for the occasion.

Nana Saforo Okuampa III added that, the Apirade Traditional Area will collaborate with the Ministry of Tourism and other Development partners to effectively roll out the sustainable tourism development project in the Area.

The Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts Mrs. Eizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, who was the Guest of honour at the occasion, congratulated the Chief and people of Apirade for maintaining peace and harmony in the area.

Mrs. Ofosu-Adjare added that, festivals plays are very important tool for preserving our culture. The music, dance and drama performances as well as the return of family and friends in the diaspora to participate in the celebration are some of the ways by which our culture can be preserve for the future.

The Tourism Minister revealed that, since the realignment of the Ministry to couple Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts together, the Ministry have put in place several initiatives to strengthen the sector to enable it contribute effectively to national development and unity.

She said prominent among this initiatives is the 15-Year National Tourism Development Plan (2013-2027) which is meant to streamline Tourism Development and position the country in the forefront of Africa's tourism.

Member of Parliament (MP) for Okere Constituency, Mr. Dan Botwe pledged an amount of 20,000 to support the sustainable tourism project from his MPs Common Fund. He said if well harnessed, tourism will help create employment in the area. He further promised to help set up the Information Communication Technology (ICT) Centre in the area.