Edina Bakatue Bounces Back In Grand Style

The people of Elmina in the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem (KEEA) municipality of the Central region were on cloud nine on Tuesday when the chiefs of the area launched their annual Bakatue festival after three long years of suspension due to a chieftaincy dispute. The people, including kings and queen mothers and the youth, Asafo singing groups and other associations such as hairdressers and beauticians association dressed in all white to participate in a float through the principal streets of the ancient town to mark the launch. The festival, which kicks off in the first week of July to usher in the fishing bumper harvest season, is on the theme; �Time to promote Ghana�s trade potential is now�.. Patronise Ghana made�..be a proud Ghanaian�. Speaking at the launch, Omanhen of the area, Nana Kodwo Conduah VI, was happy that peace has finally returned to the area after years of court battle over a chieftaincy dispute which stalled the celebration of the festival for about three years. He implored the people to bury the hatchet and forget about what has happened for them to continue to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere for the development of the area. Nana Conduah pointed out that the theme for this year�s celebration was inspired by President John Dramani Mahama�s call for Ghanaians to patronise made in Ghana products, adding that should Ghanaians patronise their own products, the current fall of the cedi will be stabilized. The Omanhen also urged pastors and Ghanaians to come and join them in the celebration and not call the festival fetish. Central Regional Minister, Mr. E K T Addo, and Member of Parliament (MP) for the area, Dr. Nana Ato Arthur, all reiterated the need for the people to maintain the peace prevailing in the area to bring rapid development to the area. The regional minister further called for the speedy completion of the Benya bridge and the fish processing plant to revive the fishing activities in the area. The Edinaman Educational Fund was also launched as part of the 16 years anniversary of Nana Conduah to promote education in the fishing community. Acting General Manager of Coconut Grove Beach Resort in Elmina, Mr. Victor Opoku Mintah, who launched the educational fund on behalf of Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom, donated GH₵2,000 as seed money for the fund and pledged to add more as time goes on, saying education is dear to the heart of Dr. Nduom. Also present at the function was the brother of late President John Evans Atta Mills, Dr. Cadman Mills and siblings.