My heart is saddened to hear the cancellation of this year’s Grand Durbar of the Agotime Kente festival, due to chieftaincy grievances. I am really not interested to start the blame game at this crucial moment, but what I can I say is that “we all could do better if really we want the growth and sustainable development of our people, let’s us all bow our heads in shame”.
The land of Agotime has its own social problems ranging from youth unemployment, poverty, continues migration of youth to urban centers and food insecurity in some of the rural communities. The town has not received its fair share of the national cake when it comes to job creation for the youth.
Occasions like this (festival) serve as the avenue, to creative entrepreneurs and business minded people to generate some incomes to support their families. Most of these hardworking individuals spend a lot of time establishing short to medium businesses on this occasion to support their livelihoods.
This is also an occasion where the district could also generate some revenues from tourist who will be in attendance. Already, the district cannot be proud of its Internally Generated Funds {IGF} and hence must rely on government for supports.
My humble plea to all leader’s (Chiefs, Queen mothers and Government representatives) in the helm of affairs in the district is to quickly come together in this trying moment to resolve chieftaincy grievances that will jeopardize the peace and stability of our beloved land (Agotime).
I believe moving forward, we should learn from our mistakes. Let’s us all work towards the 2018 Agotime Kente Festival with a rejuvenated spirit.
Cc: Kente Festival, Agotime Traditional Area, 2017 Kente festival Planning committee, Traditional authorities, Government Representatives.
Author: Vozbeth Kofi Azumah
Vozbeth020@gmail.com