President Mahamudu Bawumia has called on chiefs and other traditional authorities to complement Government’s efforts in protecting the environment, especially rivers and other water bodies from pollution.
Speaking at this year’s Ohum Festival of the chiefs and people of Akyem Abuakwa at Kyebi in the Eastern Region on Saturday, Vice President Bawumia said it was the duty of the present generation to uphold and defend the tradition of keeping the environment clean and healthy for posterity.
Historically, the Akyems use the Ohum Festival to thank Almighty God for blessing the land with the Birim River.
During this period, sons and daughters of Okyeman, the Akyem State, use products from the lands and the river as symbols to remember their ancestors, who preserve the tradition of the society.
They also pledge to continue the tradition and keep the Kingdom of Okyeman strong and ensure peace and prosperity of the area.
However, the Vice President observed that the present state of the river and many other water bodies across the country leaves much to be desired.
“Nananom, as we pledge this day to continue the tradition of our ancestors in keeping our environment safe and clean, we should reflect on the current sorry state of the Birim river, the pride of Okyeman,” Dr Bawumia pointed out.
“Today in Ghana, our rivers are polluted with an alarming carelessness. It is either we have farmed or built so close to the riverbanks, callously polluted the rivers with activities of “galamsay,” or encroached the river path for human settlement,” he added.
To overcome that canker, he said, it behoved everyone, including the Government to use avenues to deal with the issues of filth in the neighbourhoods.
He, therefore, implored the chiefs to work collaboratively with the local administrative authorities to rekindle that communal spirit to help deal with filth in our societies.
He said the Government would continue to pursue efforts such as Operation Vanguard to affirm its commitment to protecting the environment and water bodies.
Underscoring the importance of a strong and efficient human resource base to the development of any nation, Dr Bawumia noted that the Akufo-Addo-led Administration would continue to invest heavily in literacy and numeracy, as well as in science and skills training for the Ghanaian youth.
“The Government of President Akufo-Addo is convinced that the success of Ghana and, indeed, any community depends on the quality of her human resources.
” It is for this reason that, in addition to free SHS and free TVET, the Government has not relented in its effort to provide facilities at the basic, secondary and tertiary levels to ensure that every Ghanaian has access to quality and affordable education,” the Vice-President added.
Okyehene Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin, King of the Akyem State, on his part, urged the nation to continue to abide by Covid- 19 safety protocols due to the recent rise in the cases.
Osagyefo Ofori Panin called on the Sons and Daughters of Okyeman to remember their roots and give back to their communities.
“When you go out there and succeed, don’t make a difference just where you are; come back home and make a difference too.
“It should not be the sole duty of Government to develop our nation. You can support your alma mater with infrastructure or equipment; you can support your church or village or town in diverse ways. In whatever you do, make a positive difference,” he advised.
