The Paramount Chief of the Gbese Traditional Area, Nii Dr Ayi-Bonte II, has appealed to President John Dramani Mahama to release Ga lands acquired by the British Colonial Administration back to the Ga State, who are the legitimate owners.
He said the return of the lands to the Ga state would not only help in building a new economy for the people of Accra, but would also be a fulfillment of the President pledge to return all state acquired lands to its rightful owners during the 2024 electioneering campaign.
“The acquisition of our lands by the Colonial Administration as far back as 1875 has impoverish us. All our lands for other economic activities such as farming have been lost to us. Today, people are disposing off our lands with careless abandon and when confronted, all you hear is government land…government land,” he stressed.
Nii Ayi-Bonte made the appeal at a ceremony to lift the one month ban on drumming and noise-making also known as the ‘Odadao’ ritual in Accra last Thursday.
The ‘Odadao’ literally translates as beating of the twin drums, and is performed exactly one month after the ‘Nmai dumo’ (planting of corn) a prelude to the celebration of the Homowo Festival.
Nmai dumo is the spiritual planting of corn which is done to invoke the blessings of the gods for a bountiful harvest for the year.
It is performed in an atmosphere of absolute peace and tranquility with noise making activities such as drum¬ming, funerals and all social activities banned for a period of four weeks.
This year’s ban came into force on May 12 and its lifting paves way for preparations towards the Homowo (hooting at hunger) Festival in the month of August.
As part of the Odadao rituals, the two imposing fontomfrom drums which are kept in seclusion through¬out the year were brought out and beaten three times to signify the end of the month-long ban on drumming and noise-making.
The ritual, was performed solely by the Gbese Mantse, Dr Ayi-Bonte II, who is also the Adonteng of the Ga State.
The beating of the drums evoked spontaneous uproar throwing the whole of Ga Mashie and its environs into a state of joy and merry-making.
Performed at the forecourt of the Gbese Mantse Palace in Ga Mashie, the ritual was done amidst the firing of musketry.
Nii Ayi-Bonte was adorned in an elegant white and gold kente, and was carried shoulder higher and paraded through the four principal streets adjoining his palace amidst cheers, blowing flutes and shouting of appellations.
Present at this year’s event were all divisional chiefs of the Gbese Traditional Area, the Naae Wolumo, principal chiefs from the Ga Traditional Council and an array of traditional priests and priestess.
Also present at this year’s event were the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Linda Obenewaa Akweley Ocloo, Former Member of Parliament for the area, Mr Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuije, and the Metropolitan Chief Executive, Michael Kpakpo Allotey.
Addressing the gathering after beating the drums, Nii Ayi-Bonte said one of the reasons for which the Greater Accra Region voted massively for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) was President Mahama’s promise to release the lands to the people of Accra.
Mrs Ocloo, on her part, said the government was partnering with the various traditional authorities to pre¬serve the rich culture of the country and Ga-Dangbe was not excluded.
BY CLIFF EKUFUL
