Hot!
Masqueraders are responsible members of society – Chief Masquerader speaks
•Masqueraders are people from diverse backgrounds
Has it ever crossed your mind that your pastor, doctor, lecturer, that senior officer in any of the security services or the famous food vendor in your neigh bourhood could be the face behind a masquerade you have been seeing at a programme?
Be informed that masqueraders known locally as “kaakamotobi”, who dress in fancy-clothes dancing at festivals and displaying in vari ous forms are responsible members of society.
Typically, they wear masks, which make them fearful but this adds a level of excitement to the festival. During Christmas and New Year celebrations or other events, it is a handful of them who wear masks with most of them exposing their faces.
In an interview with The Spectator, the President of the Masquerades Association in Tema , Mr. Justice Gameli explained that the leadership of the various groups had taken a decision not to disguise themselves again so that the public would easily identify them.
“This is because, many people think Masqueraders are vagabonds but this is not true. We have very responsible members in the secu rity services, clergy, health sector, business and academia among others and I am sure if people see and identify them they would have a change of mind about masquer ades,” he said.
According to him, the associ ation had over 15, 000 members and it was opened to anybody who is ready to abide by the rules and regulations. He emphasised that even disability was not an excuse to deny a person membership into the association.
Mr. Gameli said many of their members were the youth who had been educated to stay away from all unacceptable social behaviours and crimes such as drug abuse, teenage pregnancy among others.
He said as part of the programme for the year, “they socialise and organise mentorship programme for the youth to discover their talents to promote the association and develop their communities and the nation as a whole”.
Recounting their major challenges he mentioned that costuming took a lot of their time and funds to sup port the association. He, therefore, called on corporate institutions to come to their aid with funding and to promote their businesses with the association’s branded costumes.
Mr Gameli added that with assistance from various institutions, it would help the association to en gage in corporate social responsibil ities to develop their communities and the youth.
He commended the Ghana Tourism Development Company for ex tending a hand to them to promote the culture of masquerade which had gained roots in some of the regions in the country.
He promised that the association would work hard to ensure that the festival stays to make Tema and its environs an attractive place to be during Christmas and the New Year and even beyond to make the area a preferred tourism destination.
From Dzifa Tetteh Tay, Tema.
Hot!
Many SOEs have been used as mere instruments for personal wealth accumulation –Pres.Mahama
President John Dramani Mahama has expressed concern over the misuse of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) for personal financial gain by individuals in leadership positions.
Speaking during a meeting with Chief Executives of specified entities under the State Interest and Governance Authority (SIGA) on Thursday, March 13, the President directly attributed the dire state of SOEs to their leadership, accusing chief executives, management teams, and governing boards of prioritising personal enrichment over organisational efficiency.
He pointed to bloated budgets, unjustified allowances, and unnecessary expenditures as factors draining public funds while SOEs continue to rely on government bailouts.
“Many SOEs have been used as mere instruments for personal wealth accumulation by appointees. The chief executives, management, and boards of these enterprises are responsible for this situation. Some SOEs have become perennial loss-makers, draining public funds with bloated budgets, unjustified allowances, and unnecessary expenditures while relying on government bailouts as if entitled to them. Many of these entities are at their lowest point in the entire history of the Fourth Republic,” he said.
President Mahama further noted that many SOEs have been plagued by inefficiencies, corruption, and mismanagement, leading to consistent financial losses. He cited the 2023 State Ownership Report by the State Interests and Governance Authority (SIGA), which highlighted systemic inefficiencies and wasteful expenditures within these entities.
He therefore reaffirmed his commitment to reforming under-performing SOEs and ensuring they serve national interests.
He warned that loss-making SOEs will no longer be tolerated and will either be merged, privatised, or closed.
“I will assess you based on your performance. If you do not align with the pace of the reset agenda, you may be asked to step aside. If that adds to the horror movie, so be it,” he added.
Source: Myjoyonline.com
Hot!
Prophet Courage Heavens set to launch ‘Predestination’ book on March 23
Prophet Courage A. Heavens is set to launch the much-awaited book titled ‘Predestination’ on Sunday, March 23, 2025 at 5:00PM.
The launch, which is expected to impact lives, will take place at Crossgates Ministries, Flattop, off N1 Highway, opposite Angel Hauz.
The book is aimed at addressing the way people struggle to understand how free will and destiny align.
It is also aimed at providing clarity on God’s sovereignty and one’s place in His divine plan.
The various chapters of the book address various issues through scriptures and personal stories.
Committed to impacting society, part of the proceeds from the book will go into Courage Heavens Education Legacy (CHEL), an educational foundation transforming lives.
CHEL is dedicated to providing financial support and mentorship to brilliant but needy students, ensuring they have access to quality education and opportunities for a better future.
Prophet Courage Heavens is a prolific writer and previously authored Eli Eli Lama Sabachthani, a powerful book that encourages unwavering faith in times of trials.
In addition, he has written seven more prophetic and life-changing books that are yet to be published.
He is dedicated to raising the next generation for impactful ministry. As the leader of Crossgates Ministries, he nurtures believers in faith and purpose.
