Annual Azambenefire festival observed


The Chiefs and people of Bongo in the Upper East Region have celebrated the annual “Azambene” fire festival in Bongo. 

The festival, which attracted friends and well-wishers, was celebrated to commemorate the creation of the present Bongo, thus marking the inheritance of the land from Busasis, the original owners of the land.

It is a period of expressing appreciation to the Almighty God and the ancestors for providing abundant rains for farming and good health. 

It also provides an opportunity where chiefs, queen mothers and the entire district come together to reflect on issues of development and also as a platform to fight indiscipline and indecent practices as well institute good programs and policies in the interest of the district.

The theme for this year’s celebration was“Communication, Information and Education; A Tool for rapid Development”. 

The Paramount Chief of Bongo Traditional Area, Bonaba Baba Salifu Alemyaarum, said the theme was chosen in consideration of the Bongo Community Radio Station Project which is battling with challenges to start operation although they have the frequency which is 93.1. 

He said information and education was key to development and that the unavailability of a radio station in the district was retarding the progress of development.

He said through the festival, Bongo had done a lot to preserve the environment. 

The Paramount chief said the greatest achievement they all cherish in the area is the unity, peace and harmony that the district is enjoying. Bongo district is one of the deprived districts in the Upper East Region. 

A survey in the district had revealed the inability of most parents to meet the high cost of education of their children resulting in low human resource base in the district and retarding development. 

The chief expressed his gratitude to the President for the implementation of policies aimed at improving the living standards of Ghanaians. 

He lauded the government for fulfilling his campaign promise by implementing the Free Senior High School Policy, saying the initiative has hit the spine of the entire nation. 

Bonaba Baba Salifu Alemyaarumassured government of his traditional council’s support. 

He appealed to government to provide the district with a teacher training college to absorb students from the eight Senior High Schools in the district. 

The Upper East Regional Minister, Rockson Bukari, said as a country, they need to unite through their various cultures, for it is only through culture Africans can unite. 

He said if they unite culturally it will also lead to economic and political cohesion which will in the long run lead to a total unity of the African continent. 

He said even though there is the need to rekindle our culture but there is also the need to stop the heinous customs and cultural practices. 

According to him, there are some customs and traditional practices that are outmoded and socially harmful and thus hinder development. 

The Regional Minister said his wish is to see more ethnic groups in the region rekindling their cherished festivals with stronger bond of brotherliness that will engender an atmosphere congenial for socio-economic development of their catchment areas. 

Mr. Bukari charged residents in the region to take advantage of the NPP government’s flagship programs to better their living conditions.


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