Unity, heritage take centre stage at Bakatue festival

Elmina, Ghana – The Bakatue Festival reached its climax this past Saturday, uniting the Edina Traditional Area with a vibrant display of culture and a focus on shared heritage. This year's celebration, themed “Homecoming for Unity, Heritage and Development,” saw the traditional area in the Central Region host a grand durbar of chiefs, drawing significant attention and participation.

A key highlight was the presence of the Ga Mantse, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, as the special guest of honour. His attendance underscored a historical connection, recalling the exile of King Tackie Tawiah I to Elmina Castle by British colonialists. King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II emphasized the familial bond between the Ga and Edina peoples, expressing gratitude for the invitation and appealing for regional support for development initiatives.

Nana Kwadwo Conduah VI, the Paramount Chief of the Edina Traditional Area, echoed these sentiments, urging the government to prioritize stalled school building projects and provide essential resources like a bus for Edinaman Senior High School. Concerns were also raised regarding inadequate staff accommodation at the Elmina Polyclinic, with an appeal for the construction of new quarters. Furthermore, Nana Kwadwo Conduah VI called for a review of contracts related to the Elmina Castle, seeking to ensure the Edina Traditional Council benefits financially from tourism revenue.

The Central Regional Minister, Ekow Panyin Okyere Eduamoah, addressed the gathering by stressing the importance of collective action to tackle sanitation challenges across the country. He reminded the public that maintaining clean communities is a shared responsibility, urging everyone to play their part.

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The Ga and Edina people are one family.