The Akatsi North District Security Council (DISEC) has placed a ban on Easter festivities at Ave- Dakpa the district capital.
This follows growing agitations among indigenes of the area over alleged attempts by some individuals including the Assembly member of the area who doubles as the Presiding member of the Akatsi North District Assembly, Patrick Kwame Ahiabu to replace the age old “Amesikpe” festival which is said to be the traditional festival of the people of Ave-Dakpa since their migration from Bakpa an island village in the North Tongu District, from the earliest times till present, and had been observed by the people since time immemorial, with a new and unknown festival, “Delademi.”
A communique issued by the DISEC, on Thursday, March 21, signed by the District Chief Executive (DCE) Simon Peter Kofi Owusu and copied to the Paramount Chief of the area, Torgbui Nyamekor Glakpe V, as well as Political and Security heads, stated: “Upon critical review of the application for police permit with reference no: AD2024|AFPC| 422 |Vol 2|1 and the circumstances surrounding the organization and celebration of some Easter festivities at Ave-Dakpa, DISEC has placed a ban on the celebration of “Delademi” festival and any other festival at Ave Dakpa until further notice, “however, Christian celebrations, funerals, apprenticeship graduations and traditional customary rites are permitted.”
It warmed against the modification of these celebrations and gatherings into festivals and durbars.
The communique reminded the Ave Dakpa community of an impending interim injunction against the celebration of “Amesikpe” festival and strongly advised that the decision of the court be respected.
It called for the cooperation and understanding of all community members during the period.
“The peace of the entire district is of utmost importance and we need all of you on board to develop in a peaceful environment,” the communique said.
Meanwhile, earlier on Saturday, March 16, a group of concerned citizens from the area, led by Dumega Mc-Solo Mayor, held a press conference to address issues relating to the celebration of the festivals and other matters which necessitated the subsequent ban on the Easter festivities.
The group in it’s press statement advised the Assembly member, who is said to be the mastermind behind the move to replace the ancient “Amesikpe” festival with “Delademi” festival, to “stop deceiving the people of the community and trying to underestimate the intelligence of the people and holding himself out as the wisest man in the community – forcing things down the throats of the people like this “Delademi” festival, and undermining the authority of the Paramount Chief.
We do not want to hear anything about this “Delademi” festival because it represents nothing but just to satisfy the selfish political interests of the organizers,” the statement said.
It called on the authorities to place an injunction on the celebration of “Delademi” festival “which has met with the people’s disapproval,” adding “if this is not done, something untoward can happen, resulting in disaster.”
By Leo Nelson || Ghananewsonline.com.gh