From Isaac Akwetey-Okunor
(ikantso2012@gmail.com)
A divisional Chief of Manya Aklomuase in the Manya Krobo Traditional Area, Okpatakpla Apennehi Sasraku IV, has charged inhabitants of the area to take the development of the place into their own hands.
According to the Chief, even though the development of the area is a fundamental responsibility of central government, there is the need for the people to contribute their quota towards development.
He made the remarks in a speech delivered on Wednesday at this year’s Wetso Ngmayem Festival of the Manya-Aklomuase division of Manya Krobo, which is under the theme “Culture: A tool for socio-economic development.”
He continued: “Let us take charge of our culture and use it to our advantage. Those cultural practices that need to be modified must also be done to keep pace with modernity. This is not negotiable. Our land will only be developed by ourselves. No one will do it for us. The time is now.”
According to him, culture is a complex generic term which includes knowledge, belief, art, morals, law, custom and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of a society.
Giving a brief history of the people of Krobo, the Manya Aklomuase Chief stated:
“The story of the Krobo has been one of struggles and resilience. Our forebearers tamed the wild and fought several battles throughout our migration history to our days on the Krobo Mountain, and to our present location in the Verdant Valley some 123 years ago.”
This, according to him, was after the army of Governor Sir Brandford Griffith, backed by about 100 armed Hausa troops, “forcibly evicted us from the historic Krobo Mountain.”
He expressed regret at the neglect of tradition and culture by the present Krobos, adding, “Our forebearers bequeathed unto us this heritage which we must guard at all times, and use it as a tool to provide jobs for the unemployed youth, and to develop our land.”
He suggested the introduction of what he called cultural tourism, which focuses on a country or a region’s culture, specifically, the lifestyle of the people in those geographical areas, the history of those people, their art, architecture, religion(s), and other elements that help shape their way of life.
Quoting from a UNESCO report, the Krobo Chief stressed that cultural tourism accounts for about 37% of all global tourism earnings, and this will further grow by 15% every year, a move, he admitted, the Krobo people must take advantage of to develop their land.
“We have a great culture. We have a historic mountain. We have unique music and dances. I want to give all of us a typical example. Think about our indigenous Krobo music and dance, such as Klama music and dance, Obonu music and dance; dances being performed on the Krobo mountain every weekend”, he added.
Okpatakpla Apennehi Sasraku IV further encouraged the people of Krobo to capitalise on the opportunities that the dipo festival presents to them (people) and add value to it, in order to make the best out of it.
“Can you imagine the number of jobs that will be created for the youth; the revenue that will accrue to the Traditional Council and the Municipal Assembly? What has happened to the beads festival? he queried.
Bragging about the culture of Krobos, Okpatakpla Sasraku IV revealed: “We, Krobos, have a strong bead culture. Krobo beads are unmatched, in terms of quality, value and style. The bead festival, if moderated and organised well, will certainly put Kloma on the world map.”
The Chief also took advantage of the occasion to make a passionate call to all religious leaders on Krobo soil, especially, the latter day churches, to stop demonising and paganising their culture, adding that their culture is neither fetish nor evil.
“It is our identity. It is such an important part of our lives, and instead of aiming to destroy it, or standing by while it becomes eroded, it will be more constructive to emphasise and promote it, so as to develop our land,”, he advised.
He called on the Lower and Upper Manya Krobo assemblies, Traditional Council, and youth groups to support the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts to draw an all-inclusive and comprehensive plan to promote the culture of the area, and take advantage of the opportunities it offers.
Meanwhile, the chiefs and people of Krobo would today observe the annual Ngmayem Festival, which is expected to be graced by the President, John Dramani Mahama, and other government officials.
The name of the traditional festival Ngmayem is derived from millet. Ngma – millet, yemi – eating. Millet has been the staple food of the Krobos for centuries. The people of the area gather each year to celebrate millet in remembrance of their past.