Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia has called on chiefs and other traditional authorities to complement the government’s efforts at protecting the environment, and keep their surroundings, especially rivers and other water bodies, clean and useful to humanity.
He said it is the duty of the present generation to uphold and defend the ancient tradition of keeping the environment clean and healthy for posterity and generations yet unborn.
The Vice-President made the call during this year’s edition of the Ohum Festival of the chiefs and people of Akyem Abuakwa at Kyebi in the Eastern Region over the weekend.
“Historically, the Akyems have used the Ohum festival to thank the Almighty for blessing their land with the Birim River. During this period, the sons and daughters of Okyeman use products from the lands and the river as symbols to remember the ancestors who struggled and persevered in keeping the society intact. It further gives pledges to continue the tradition and to keep the kingdom strong and free with prosperity and peace during the festival,” he stated.
Environmental degradation
Dr Bawumia, however, bemoaned the present state of River Birim and many other water bodies in the country, saying “it leaves much to be desired”.
“Nananom, Ladies and Gentlemen, as we pledge this day to continue the tradition of our ancestors in keeping our environment safe and clean, we should reflect on the current sorry state of the Birim River, the pride of Okyeman.
“Today, in Ghana, our rivers are polluted with an alarming carelessness. It is either we have farmed or built so close to the river banks, callously polluted the rivers with activities of galamsey, or encroached the river path for human settlement. These activities expose the waters to all forms of pollution,” he told the chiefs.
Overcoming this challenge, he said, requires the commitment of all and sundry, including the traditional authorities’ cooperation.
The Vice-President recounted that, in the past, communal labour and volunteerism were effective avenues used by the chiefs and local authorities to deal with the issues of filth in their neighborhoods.
“This noble initiative and activity, however, seems to be lost on us these days. I implore Nananom to work collaboratively with the local administrative authorities to rekindle that communal spirit to help deal with filth in our societies,” he urged.
Dr. Bawumia further reaffirmed government’s commitment to protecting the environment and water bodies through efforts such as “Operation Vanguard”.
Educational development
The Vice-President also noted that strong and efficient human resource base are essential ingredients to the development of every nation. He therefore reiterated government’s commitment to investing heavily not just in literacy and numeracy, but in science and skills training and acquisition for Ghana’s youth.
“The Government of President Akufo-Addo is convinced that the success of Ghana and, indeed any community depends largely on the quality of her human resources. It is for this reason that, in addition to free SHS and free TVET, Government has not relented in its effort to provide facilities at the basic, secondary and tertiary levels to ensure that every Ghanaian had access to quality and affordable education,” he noted.
He indicated that he may not need to mention the recent inauguration of the University of Engineering and Agricultural Sciences, occasioned by the vision of President Akufo-Addo. “It is a tribute to the commitment of this government to improve science education with the enlightened cooperation of all Nananom and Traditional Institutions,” he said.
Okyehene
Admonishing the nation to abide by the Covid-19 safety protocols, in light of the recent rise in cases, the Okyenhene, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin, urged sons and daughters of Okyeman to remember their roots and give back to their communities.
“When you go out there and succeed, don’t make a difference just where you are; come back home and make a difference too. It should not be the sole duty of government to develop our nation. You can support your alma mater with infrastructure or equipment; you can support your church, or village or town in diverse ways. In whatever you do, make a positive difference,” he stressed.
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