From Sebastian R. Freiku
The Bekwai Traditional Council has drawn a programme of activities to celebrate the 15th Anniversary of the enstoolment of Nana Karikari Appau II as Omanhene of the traditional area.
The weeklong celebration, scheduled for between October 27 and November 2, 2014, will be climaxed with a grand durbar of chiefs and people of the traditional area on November 1 at the Gyamfi Sports Stadium at Bekwai, under the royal chairmanship of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
The celebration is under the theme: “Awakening the spirit of creativity and innovation to foster communal development”.
The Chairman of the Anniversary Planning Committee, Nana Opoku Ababio, Adontenhene of Bekwai, said the programme would be launched today, Monday October 27, alongside the commissioning of the Bekwaihene’s Tree Planting project in schools.
Other activities include fund raising to support Bekwaiman Educational Trust, inter-schools quiz/debate, sports fiesta, donations, carnival, clean-up exercise, health walk and screening, religious services, and an awards night to appreciate the services of deserving personalities in and around the paramountcy who have contributed to the development of the area.
Nana Opoku Ababio indicated that there would be a Thanksgiving Service on Sunday November 2, 2014 to round off the programme for the anniversary celebration.
Meanwhile, Nana Karikari Appau II has given the assurance that the Bekwai Traditional Council would concentrate on promoting education in the areas of teacher motivation and build the human resource base of the area by assisting brilliant but needy students under its scholarship scheme as part of its agenda to promote education.
He said the council has been inspired by the fact that education is the key to development.
He told the Ashanti File that the council’s scholarship scheme, instituted in 2002, would be made to benefit more students in the coming years.
About GH¢15,851 has been expended for the benefit of about 60 students since the scholarship scheme was instituted.
The Omanhene mentioned the rehabilitation of the Ayeboafo Palace, and the construction of the Queenmother’s palace at Bekwai, and the Abesewa Stool House as well as the establishment of a Customary Stool Lands Secretariat at the palace, as some of the projects undertaken during the 15 years reign.
He also mentioned the rehabilitation of the Akwabetiso Stool House, the Ayeboafo Stool House and the Adowa Stool House, while electricity and borehole water had been provided for the Akwabetiso community.
Nana Appau said the Gyamfi Sports Stadium had been completed, while a
GH¢400,000 Community Centre complex is under construction.