Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the vice president, has urged chiefs and other traditional leaders to support the government's initiatives to preserve the environment and maintain our surroundings, particularly rivers and other water bodies, clean and beneficial to mankind.
Vice President Bawumia stated that it is the responsibility of the current generation to uphold and defend the ancient tradition of keeping the environment clean and healthy for posterity and generations yet to come at this year's Ohum Festival of the Chiefs and people of Akyem Abuakwa on Saturday, June 25, 2022, at Kyebi in the Eastern Region.
The Akyems have traditionally utilised the Ohum celebration to express gratitude to the divine for endowing their country with the Birim River. The sons and daughters of Okyeman use items from the land and the river as symbols during this time to remember their ancestors who struggled and persisted in maintaining the society, and they also make promises to carry on the tradition and maintain the kingdom's strength, freedom, prosperity, and peace throughout the festival.
Dr. Bawumia lamented that the river's current condition and that of many other water bodies in the nation left much to be desired.
"Nananom, Ladies and Gentlemen, as we make a commitment today to uphold the custom of our forefathers in maintaining the safety and cleanliness of our environment, we should consider the current sad condition of the Birim river, the pride of Okyeman. Our rivers in Ghana are alarmingly contaminated as a result of modern negligence. Either we have carelessly contaminated the rivers with our galamsay operations or we have encroached into the river route for human habitation. These activities subject the seas to contamination in all its forms.
"Everyone, including the government, must be committed to eradicating this cancer of environmental deterioration and pollution.
In the past, Nananom and local officials dealt with the challenges of squalor in our communities via cooperative labour and volunteering. But it seems like we've forgotten about this admirable endeavour and activities these days. I beg Nananom to cooperate with the regional administrative authorities to reawaken that sense of community that might help combat the squalor in our society.
The Vice President promised that the government will continue to support initiatives like Operation Vanguard to demonstrate our dedication to safeguarding the environment and water resources. In order to clean up our environs, we will require Nananom and the people of Ghana's help on a constant basis.
Education
Dr. Bawumia emphasised the significance of a strong and effective human resource base to the success of any country, saying the Akufo-Addo government will continue to spend substantially in science and skill training and acquisition for Ghana's young in addition to literacy and numeracy.
"The administration of President Akufo-Addo is persuaded that the calibre of a community's human resources is a major factor in determining the prosperity of Ghana and any nation. In order to guarantee that every Ghanaian has access to high-quality, reasonably priced education, the government has continued to offer facilities at the basic, secondary, and university levels in addition to free SHS and free TVET.
"I may not need to mention the University of Engineering and Agricultural Sciences' recent opening, which was made possible by H.E. President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-vision. Addo's It is a testament to this government's dedication to enhancing scientific education with the informed assistance of all Nananom and Traditional Institutions.
Okyehene
The Okyehene, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin, urged Okyeman to remember their roots and give back to their communities in whatever way they could. He also urged the country to follow the Covid 19 safety measures in view of the current increase in instances.
Don't simply make a difference where you are when you succeed when you are out there; also make a difference when you return home. Our country's development shouldn't be left only in the hands of the government. You may provide equipment or infrastructure for your alma mater, as well as a variety of other services for your church, village, or municipality. Make a difference in whatever you do.