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New Yagbonwura assumes throne …exclusive shots from Gonjaland
Biikunu Jewu Soale I, the new Yagbonwura of the Gonja Traditional area was enskinned at a colourful traditional ceremony at Nyange on Monday, March 20, 2023 in Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District in the Savannah Region.
On Tuesday March, 21, 2023, he was officially outdoored at the forecourt of Jakpa Palace at Damongo and was witnessed by hundreds of citizens and dignitaries from far and near.
He succeeded the late Tuntumba Boressah as the 34th Yagbonwura. As customs demands, the new King stopped at Jentilpe where he was given water to drink before he continued to Damongo.
Guests at the colourful event included the Vice-President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia; former President John Dramani Mahama, President of the National House of Chiefs, Ogyeahohuo Yaw Gyebi II; and the Minister-designate of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs designate, Stephen Asamoah Boateng.
Also present were chiefs from other traditional areas, ministers of state, Members of Parliament, political party representatives, the clergy among others.
The King, in his inaugural address, paid tribute to his predecessors and urged all chiefs of the Gonja Traditional area to unite and protect the Gonja Kingdom.
He called for peaceful co-existence among citizens and advised the chiefs to collaborate with the government to speed up development of the area and the nation.
Dr Bawumia congratulated the new Yagbonwura, and pledged the government’s cooperation and support.
Former President John Dramani Mahama also congratulated the new Yagbonwura and wished him well in his reign.
On February 27, 2023, the kingmakers of the Gonja Kingdom announced the 60-year-old farmer as the new Overlord. Before his enskinment, he was the Paramount Chief of the Tuluwe Traditional Area.
The new Overlord was first enskinned as Jakpaseriwura, from where he moved to the Timanklan-wura skin to Kachinako-wura and finally got to the Bunda skin in 2011.
Here are some sights and scenes.
From: Geoffrey Buta, Damongo.
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ASWIM lauds Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang
The Association of Women in the Media, (ASWIM) has congratulated Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang on her historic achievement as Ghana’s first female Vice President.
The association said her trailblazing journey with sterling accomplishments from academia to politics, is undoubtedly, a vivid inspiration to countless women and girls across Ghana and Africa.
This was contained in a statement signed by its president, Mrs Mavis Kitcher, and copied to The Spectator on Tuesday in Accra.
“ASWIM celebrates your remarkable career, marked by numerous firsts, including the first female Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, (UCC), and the first female to hold a professional chair in Ghana, (UCC),” the statement said.
It said the accomplishments of Prof Opoku- Agyemang were clear testament to the brilliance, resilience and resourceful nature of the complete beautiful African woman.
“As she takes on this new role, ASWIM proudly lauds her commitment to education, women’s empowerment, distinguished public service and patriotism and is very confident that her pursuit of excellence, love for humanity, humility, decency, modesty and commitment to the welfare of the vulnerable will characterise Ghana’s political leadership and public service,” the statement added.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
Entertainment
Demolition of Fantasy Dome unfair — Mark Okraku-Mantey
Months after the Fantasy Dome was dismantled to make way for construction at the Ghana International Trade Fair site, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Mark Okraku-Mantey, has expressed concern over the manner the facility was destroyed.
In an interview on Daybreak Hitz with Andy Dosty, Mr Okraku-Mantey criticised the handling of the dome’s dismantling, suggesting that it could have been done without causing damage.
“I don’t think that leadership gave instructions that they should do what happened. The structure was a prefab but I hear the people destroyed it. That one, we cannot defend it. It is unfair to him (owner). Sometimes, you give instructions and people will go and do things that will make you look bad,” he stated.
When asked about any punitive measure against the workers responsible for the destruction, Mr Okraku-Mantey clarified that the Trade Fair does not fall under his ministry.
He said he had previously contacted the owner, Leslie Quaynor, to discuss relocating the dome, and even suggested the National Museum as a potential site, though it was too small.
The demolition of the 20,000-seater Fantasy Dome occurred on March 16, 2024.
According to Dr Agnes Adu, CEO of the Ghana Trade Fair Company Limited, the action was taken after multiple notices were given to Quaynor to vacate the premises for redevelopment, as per their tenancy agreement.
Dr Adu noted that all previous tenants had complied except for the Fantasy Dome.
Quaynor, in an interview with JoyNews, confirmed that his lease had ended, and was in the process of relocating the dome.
He had requested an extension, which was denied, leading him to seek a writ and an injunction from an Accra High Court to halt the demolition.
Despite this, the demolition proceeded, causing significant damage to the structure.
Quaynor described the incident as a major setback, not only for his business but also for the entertainment industry, which relies on venues like the Fantasy Dome.
