Accra: Naa Zakari Musah, the Chief of the Dagomba ethnic groups in the Kintampo Municipality of the Bono East Region, has called on the government to appreciate and recognise traditional festivals as a crucial foundation for nation building. The Chief made this appeal during his address to the Dagomba youth at Kintampo, coinciding with the celebration of the Annual Fire Festival, a significant event held every sixth month by the Dagombas in the area.
According to Ghana News Agency, Naa Zakari emphasised that government recognition and funding of festivals would not only promote tourism but also strengthen national unity. This recognition would showcase the nation's diverse traditions and cultural heritage to the world. As the President of the Dagomba Association, which comprises 11 ethnic groups in the Bono East Region, he stressed that festivals remain integral components of 'natural rights' and serve as a vehicle for achieving peace and development.
Providing a brief history of the festival, he explained that the 'Fire Festival' originated from an ancestral story of a grandson who went missing in the forest. After several futile efforts to find him, including drumming, a bunch of grass was set alight, and the light attracted the boy, leading to his eventual discovery. The boy later became a successor to the heritage and ensured the survival of the people.
Naa Zakari noted that festivals serve as platforms for cultural education, intergenerational dialogue, and social cohesion. He highlighted that when young people understand their history and identity, they are less likely to engage in social vices and more likely to contribute meaningfully to their communities' development.
The Chief urged the Kintampo Municipal Assembly and relevant stakeholders to partner with traditional authorities to preserve the cultural heritage and tradition of the people. He commended Direct Aid Ghana (DAG), a Non-Governmental Organisation, for supporting 36 communities in the Municipality by improving water supply and quality education.
Naa Zakari shared that the NGO had drilled 25 boreholes in deprived communities and constructed several classroom blocks for schools lacking adequate facilities. He advised the Dagomba youth to desist from land guard activities and instead invest their strength into productive activities that align with development goals.