The Chief of Kpikpira in the Upper East region of Ghana has urged the government to take steps to constitute the National House of Chiefs into an upper chamber in a bicameral legislature. Naba Dazuur II who made the call at the annual Danjuar festival, said, traditional rulers, are known to play important role in the governance of the nation through traditional administration. He said, even though they are barred from politics by the constitution, it is an open secret that chiefs support the political structure in terms of wise counsel which needs to be formalized into the legislature.
The Guest of Honour at the event was Prof. P.L.O Lumumba, the famous Kenyan scholar known for his Pan-Africanist mantra. He was in Ghana with his wife and the chairperson of his foundation. Responding to the issues raised by the Chief of Kpikpira, he said, it behooves African traditional systems to announce their presence in terms of the protection of indigenous culture, and innovative propositions that retain the African identity in development.
On education, Lumumba said, it is vital for the future of the continent since children are the replenishers of the future. He said, the least society may do for the new generation is education, and since families are their sponsors, ought to need to be strengthened financially, in opportunities and other pro-family policies to deliver on this prospect.
He advised Africans to reject foreign prescriptions and impositions that create the belief in Africans that they are not capable of handling their own affairs, and that if they attempted to initiate their own processes, they would end up in a blind alley. He said Africa should take inspiration from Ghana’s own son and icon, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah who linked the attainment of Ghana’s political independence to the rest of Africa and said, the black man is capable of handling his affairs.
Lumumba noted that modern buildings, vehicles, and other man-made creations that are becoming coming on the African continent, mean nothing to the masses who continue to suffer all manner of deprivations. Whilst in Ghana, his main associate was Mr. Bernard Mornah, a former Chairman of the Peoples National Convention, PNC with him he shares common values.
Bernard Mornah hails from Sankanna Traditional Area in the Upper West region but he is also the youth chief of the Bimoba ethnicity which goes with the traditional title BissNaab. He said the cradle of the Bimoba people in Ghana is Kpikpira and surrounding communities. They are located in between the Kusasis and Mamprusis lately caught in conflicts. He said the Bimoba people see it as their traditional responsibility of ensuring that the olive branch is sent to these conflict areas so people go about their daily lives without let or hindrance.
The well-attended festival was chaired by a member of the Council of State, Professor Daniel Anlieu-Mwini Bagah.