Komenda launches Nyeyi Festival for September

By Iddi Yire, GNA
Accra, June 16, GNA - The Nyeyi Festival celebrated by the chief and the people of Komenda in the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrirem (KEEA) Municipality of the Central Region has been launched in Accra.

The Festival, scheduled for September, is celebrated in honour of the departed heroes and heroines of Komenda for their great contribution to the various traditional areas in Komenda.

It is also used as occasion to strengthen the bond between the people and their ancestors.

This year's celebration is on the theme: 'Celebrating Culture to Promote Peace and Socio-economic Development.'

This event is intended to promote culture and peace among the public.

Nana Kodwo Kru II, the Chief of the Komenda Traditional Area, who chaired the function, said: 'The Festival is an opportunity to bring together, the people of Komenda to discuss how to harness our individual resources for the development of our community.'

He commended the hard work and dedication of the members of the Planning Committee and charged them to ensure successful celebrations.

Nana Kodwo Kru II, giving the historical background of the town, said Nana Kome was the founder of the Komenda State.

He said Nana Kome, who humbly approached the Chief of Eguafo, requesting for a piece of land to settle, was told to help the Eguafo people to get rid of a monster (Ekyi), which disturbed them a lot.

He said Nana Kome, after gallantly killing the Ekyi, returned with its severed head; and then the Eguafo Chief said 'Kome ekita Ekyi' literal meaning 'Kome is holding Ekyi', hence the etymology of Akatakyi.

He said Nana Kome finally settled at Akatakyi. However, after his death, people went on a pilgrimage to his grave (Kome Ena); the etymology of Komenda.

Dr Stephen Nana Ato Arthur, the Member of Parliament of KEEA, in his keynote address, pledged his support to the successful organisation of the event.

'This is an opportunity for the natives of Komenda who live abroad to also contribute to the development of the community because there is no place like home,' he stated.

He pledged to sponsor the football competition at the cost of GH₵2,000; in addition to providing four sets of jerseys and two footballs.

The Chief Executive Officer of Stratcomm Africa, Ms Esther Amba Numaba Cobbah, who launched the Festival, urged the residents of KEEA to ensure good sanitation practices, saying conscious efforts must be made to ensure a clean environment for a healthy living.

She advised Ghanaians to always ensure that God was involved in everything that they do.

Mr Kweku Kum, the Chairman of the Festival Planning Committee, said they intend raising fund during the Festival towards the renovation and walling of the Komenda Town Hall premises.

Some of the activities lined up for celebrations are a durbar of chiefs, clean-up exercises, canoe racing, casting off the nets, inter-school quiz competition, cooking competitions and Miss Nyeyi Contest.

Dr Joseph Samuel Annan, a former MP of KEEA, also pledged to sponsor the Mr Strong Nyeyi Contest at GH₵3,000.00.

Stratcomm Africa promised to sponsor the organisation of the Miss Nyeyi Contest, which would cost GH₵2,000.00.

GNA