2017 Annual Feok Festival held with a grand durbar The Chiefs and People of the Buluk in the Upper East Region have climaxed this year’s Feok festival with a call on government to demonstrate its commitment to implement the one village one dam and one district, one factory flagship policies. The Sandem Nab and overlord of the Builsa Traditional Area, Nab Azangsuk Azantilow who made the call said the successful implementation of the policies will serve as an antidote to the perennial migration of the youth to the southern part of the country in search for non-existing jobs. Whilst imploring government to expedite action in finding lasting solution to the rural-urban drift, Sandem Nab again urged government to consider working on abandoned dams in the area to get more youth into dry season farming. He observed that the provision of dams will go a long way to curb some social vices that are gradually eating deep into the moral fiber of the youth in the district. Nab Azantilow also used the opportunity to encourage the youth to channel their energies into productive ventures, particularly agriculture. On roads, Nab Azantilow appealed to government to develop and improve upon the road networks in the Builsa North and South, which he noted, are in a deplorable state and requires urgent attention. He cited the Navrongo-Sandema-Weisi road and Sandema-Santejan-Wa road as the worst affected. Sandem Nab further touched on other areas of concern such as the preservation of the cultural heritage of the people, negative socio-cultural practices, teenage pregnancies, crime and alcoholism among others. Other speakers spoke about the relevance of the theme for the occasion which was christened “Redefining Culture: the path to sustainable development”. According to them, the protection and preservation of culture can be used as an essential tool in the fight against poverty, insecurity as well as the promotion of national integration and development. The DCE for Builsa North, David Afoko Amoabil, highlighted a number of pro-poor policies that are being rolled out by government to better the lives of Ghanaians and called on the people to take advantage of such policies and programs. The Upper East Regional Minister, Rockson Bukari, who represented as the guest speaker said government recognizes the invaluable role of the chieftaincy institutions, and would not do anything untoward to discredit its existence. He however bemoaned the state of chieftaincy conflicts, blaming it on lack of succession plans and called for institutional measures to minimize its annual occurrence. This year’s annual Feok festival was held with a grand durbar. It brought together sons and daughters of Buluk both home and abroad. Feok is period to celebrate the defeat of the notorious slave raiders, Babatu and Samori. It is also celebrated to offer thanksgiving to the gods and ancestors for their guidance and protection throughout the year. Story by Radio Ghana's Emmanuel Akeyeti GBCONLINE ---DECRYPTED---