Former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, has expressed concern
over the upsurge of corruption and lies in the country, attributing the
trend to the fast-sinking traditions and culture of the country.
According to her, Ghanaians had relegated the country’s rich culture
and tradition, which taught a person to lead an upright life, to the
background and this unfortunate situation had paved way for an obsession
for money and personal gains.
Nana Konadu, therefore, tasked queenmothers to intervene to salvage the
situation, stressing the need for traditional leaders and queenmothers
to imbibe the spirit of love and uprightness in the youth.
The former First Lady was addressing a mammoth traditional durbar at
the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi dubbed, ‘Queenmothers’ Day and Traditional
Food Fair’ which formed part of a series of activities lined up for
Otumfuo’s 15 years anniversary on the throne.
It was graced by former President Jerry John Rawlings, Ashanti Regional
Minister Samuel Sarpong, his deputy Samuel Yaw Adusei, Ashanti Regional
Police Commander DCOP Kofi Boakye, and queenmothers from across the
country including the Okyenhemaa, Nana Dokua and the Denkyirahemaa Nana
Ayensu Saraa.
Nana Konadu urged queenmothers to play key roles to improve the
country’s family systems, ensure good parenting, develop traditions and
culture and also help to improve the environment.
She recounted the several key roles she played in the past to empower
women in the country, including queenmothers, stressing that women in
Ghana must be empowered so that they could play their roles as agents of
development.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II also expressed worry over the decline in the
country’s rich traditions and culture, adding that queenmothers, who are
the mothers of the people, ought to position themselves properly so
that they could help to train the youth well.
He also lamented over the love for money and lies in the country now,
adding that it was the duty of queenmothers to ensure that the youth,
who are the future leaders, were trained in acceptable ways in order to
make them upright people.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II urged chiefs to support queenmothers so that
together they could implement policies and programmes to help better the
lives of their people.
The Asantehene thanked the Denkyirahemaa, Akwamuhemaa, Okyenhemaa and
other queenmothers from across the country who attended the programme to
honour him on his 15th year on the Golden Stool.
The Asantehene was of the conviction that the country’s developmental
journey would be accelerated if traditional leaders, who wield a lot of
power and respect in the country, unite and collectively work to promote
the country.
First Lady Lordina Mahama, in a speech read on her behalf, also said
she was not happy about the fact that Ghana’s culture and traditions
were sinking, urging traditional leaders to intervene to salvage the
unfortunate situation. She commended Otumfuo for the various roles he
played to help promote Ghana’s peace.
The Minister for Gender and Social Protection, Nana Oye Lithur, charged
queenmothers to reflect on the life of ex-Ejisuhemaa of blessed memory,
Nana Yaa Asantewaa and emulate her bravery and courageous leadership
qualities to help expedite Ghana’s development.
Deputy Minister for Tourism, Dzifa Gomashie, commended the Asantehene
for organizing the rich durbar to empower queenmothers in Asanteman,
urging other traditional council across the country to emulate the
shining example.
The Zimbabwe High Commissioner and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps,
Pavelyn Tendai Musaka tasked traditional leaders in Africa to visit one
another so that they could tap the expertise and experience of everyone
to transform the continent.
Speaking on behalf of the Asantehemaa, Nana Agyarko Difie, the Asante
Mamponghemaa, thanked Otumfuo for instituting the durbar to empower
queenmothers in Asanteman and expressed her appreciation to all those
that attended the event, notably the queenmothers.
The traditional event was characterized by drumming and dancing, the
highlight of which was when the Asantehene danced to traditional tunes
with the Denkyirahemaa.
He later majestically embraced the Okyenhemaa, Nana Dokua.
Source: Daily Guide
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