The First Lady of the Republic, H.E. Mrs. Rebecca Naa Okaikor Akufo-Addo today presented items to chiefs and traditional councils in Teshie, Nungua and Osu, as they prepare to celebrate this year’s Homowo festival.
A Ga herself, the First Lady’s donation to the various Traditional councils included corn, palm-nuts, palm-oil, fish, beer, minerals, water, Castle Bridge, schnapps.
The Homowo Festival is celebrated by the Ga tribe annually, to remind themselves of their long battle against famine and how the rains finally came to ease their burden.
The First lady, paid courtesy calls on all five clans under the Teshie traditional council comprising the Klemusu Clan, Krobo Clan, Agbawe Clan, Lenshie Clan and Gbugbla Clan as well as the Chiefs and elders of the Osu Traditional councils
Mrs. Akufo-Addo was accompanied by Minister for Foreign Affairs and MP for Anyaa Sowutuom Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, MP for Ledzokuku and Deputy Minister for Health, Hon. Dr. Bernard Oko Boye, Administrator of the District Assembly Common Fund (DACF) and former MP for Tema West, Hon. Irene Naa Torshie, MCE of Ablekuma Central Municipal Assembly, Hon. Mariama Karley Amui, MCE for Korle Klottey, Nii Adjei Tawiah and MCE for Krowor Municipal Assembly, Joshau Nii Bortey.
She extolled the people of Teshie, Osu and Nungua for keeping the peace to present a united front for this important Festival, while urging the people of Osu to forge towards a united traditional leadership, saying, a united traditional front is what elicits economic investments which expedites development in any community.
The First lady urged the people to take advantage of the many social intervention policies being implemented by the government of her husband, H.E. President Akufo-Addo including the Free SHS policy, to break the vicious cycle of semi-literacy and poverty in their communities.
Mrs. Akufo-Addo who is also Executive Director of The Rebecca Foundation, pledged the Foundation’s determination to compliment government’s efforts to enhance the lives of its citizens by intensifying the implementation of initiatives including Terema (supporting women to improve their economic status), Because I want to Be (keeping girls in school) and Learning to Read (improving child literacy) , among others, as well as the construction of health facilities and supply of hospital equipment to needy institutions.
On his part, MP for Ledzokuku and Deputy Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Oko Boye on behalf of the chiefs and traditional elders of Teshie, Nungua and Osu thanked the First lady for her donations as well as the many philanthropic activities The Rebecca Foundation is executing which he said has greatly impacted the lives of women and children in the coastal communities in Accra.
Coming on the back of the dreaded Covid-19 pandemic, Mrs. Akufo-Addo urged the elders and people of Teshie, Nungua and Osu traditional area to adhere to all safety protocols in celebrating this year’s Homowo by limiting the Kpekple sprinkling ritual to their individual homes.
