Gomoa East bans celebration of Akwambo Festival

The District Security Council (DISEC) of the Gomoa East District Assembly has placed a ban on the celebration of this year's Akwambo festival.

According to DISEC, recent unrest in Gomoa-Fetteh as a result of chieftaincy disputes  has caused tension in the area, which might escalate if the festival is held this year.

A statement from the District Assembly, seen by citifmonline.com said that the decision to ban the festivities was taken after a review of the security situation in Gomoa-Fetteh revealed that allowing the festival to go ahead would “pose a threat to the peace and security” of the district.

The District Chief Executive (DCE) of Gomoa East, Jonamoah Moses Jehu-Appiah, told Citi News that the decision had been taken in the interest of the people of Gomoa-Fetteh.

According to him, the previous year's celebration had been marred by several criminal activities, with lots of properties being destroyed.

“Records indicate that last year's festival, even though it came off successfully recorded a lot of nasty situations. There is evidence that people were molested, properties were destroyed and a lot of brutalities were meted out to some citizens,” he said.

He added that they had received some intelligence which indicated simmering tensions among several factions which had laid claim to the throne might spiral out of control should the festival be allowed to take place.

Jonamoah Moses Jehu-Appiah
“The general concern of DISEC and government is that people must have their freedom, live and do what they want in peace. They must have their liberty to go about their daily duties and other activities in peace. Coming in the wake of the present situation, chieftaincy disputes are on the ascendancy. There are about three factions claiming the stool. Some are making threats,” he said.

“The dimension from which some of the threats are coming cannot be over looked and as a Committee responsible for peace, it is incumbent on us to review all this and appropriately apply the law which is to the benefit of all Ghanaians. It is in this direction that DISEC have placed a ban.”

Ban might be lifted 
The DCE however, added that DISEC might lift the ban should tensions in the area calm down.

He stated that the ban was only “temporary because we will continue to monitor the situation and should we find conditions favourable, why not? The people as a community cannot be denied their traditional rights and for that matter, DISEC would not hesitate to allow the festival to go on.”

“As the situation stands per the intelligence reports received and looking at history, especially what took place last year, it would not be appropriate to grant the celebration of the Akwambo festival for now. DISEC has taken this decision for the benefit of the people, for the benefit of the larger community. Our duty is to ensure that there is peace in the district,” he added.

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By: Edwin Kwakofi/citifmonline.com/Ghana