President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has vowed to ensure that the 2024 General Election is transparent, free, fair, and without violence.
He cautioned those plotting to cause trouble during the election to reconsider their actions, stressing that he would not tolerate any acts of violence.
The President made these remarks while joining the chiefs and people of Elmina at the Benya Lagoon for the rituals to officially commence this year’s Bakatue Festival.
The ritual symbolizes the spiritual lifting of the ban on fishing in the lagoon, Bakatue, marked on the first Tuesday of July, exactly a month after the traditional authorities impose the ban.
The Bakatue Festival is celebrated to offer prayers of appreciation to the gods and ask for a good fishing year. This year’s festival theme is “Patronising Made in Ghana Goods and Services to Enhance Economic Development: The Role of the People of Anomansa.”
President Akufo-Addo observed that Ghana is recognized globally as a beacon of democracy and urged all citizens to protect that legacy by collectively and actively ensuring a peaceful election.
“We are going to elect a leader; we are not going for war. My government will not allow any nation wrecker to plunge this country into a state of war and anarchy because of the election,” he stated.
“The election will be transparent and fair so that the verdict will be accepted by all, regardless of who wins or loses,” he added.
President Akufo-Addo’s participation in Tuesday’s rituals is the first by any Ghanaian President, making his visit historic.
He and his entourage were treated to a spirited regatta and stunts by enthusiastic local fishermen, while various women’s groups dressed colorfully sang traditional songs and danced in large canoes crisscrossing one another on the lagoon.
As every year, the bank of the lagoon resembled a stadium hosting a World Cup final as hundreds of ecstatic people, including tourists and revelers, converged to witness the heartwarming celebration.
President Akufo-Addo described Bakatue as one of the best festivals in Ghana and commended the chiefs and people of Elmina for protecting and improving their cultural heritage.
The President noted that he had been fair and honest with the people of Elmina regarding development, citing the Elmina Fishing Harbour as a major project.
He expressed disappointment over the repeated rejection of New Patriotic Party (NPP)’s parliamentary candidates in the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abirem constituency.
He appealed to them to vote for the NPP candidate in the upcoming election.
Responding to some appeals made by the Omanhen of the Edina Traditional Area, Nana Kodwo Conduah VI, the President promised to desilt the choked Benya Lagoon and personally provide the Edinaman Senior High School with a bus.
He was, however, cautious about lifting the ban on the transshipment of fish at sea from industrial trawlers to local canoes, known as Saiko.
He noted that the Ministry of Fisheries was opposed to the practice but promised to engage the sector minister on it.
“We will consider your appeal for a fund to support festivals in Ghana,” he added.
Nana Conduah had earlier expressed gratitude to the President for paying special attention to Elmina regarding development but also presented a few other requests for urgent consideration.
He appealed to the President to help dredge their heavily silted lagoon as it was a major source of livelihood for them.
He also repeated his request for a school bus for the Edinaman Secondary School to help transport the students.
The Omanhen also drew President Akufo-Addo’s attention to a defect at the fishing harbour, making it difficult for them to receive large boats, and pleaded with him to have it fixed.
He brought up the issue of Saiko again and implored the President to reconsider the ban on the practice because many indigenes depended on it.
Nana Conduah also requested a share of the revenue generated by the Elmina Castle to fund education and undertake other developmental projects.
“Festival is a business that stimulates the local economy. But we struggle to organize the festivals due to a lack of funds and sponsorship,” he complained.
“I am, therefore, appealing to you for a special fund to sponsor festivals in the country,” he added.
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