The Igbo community in Ghana on Sunday, September 18, held a grand celebration at the Efua Sutherland Park in Accra to mark their annual new Yam Festival. The celebration also marked the 10th anniversary of the coronation of His Majesty Eze Dr. Chukwudi Ihenetu as the Paramount King of the Igbo people in Ghana.
The special day brought together hundreds of Igbos across Ghana on one platform to affirm their loyalty to their King and to showcase the true culture of the Igbo community.
In his goodwill message His Majesty Eze Dr. Chukwudi Ihenetu expressed appreciation to President Akufo-Addo and other past governments of Ghana for the collaboration and good relationship they have enjoyed now and in the past decade.
“I want to use this opportunity to personally appreciate the government of Ghana for all their support all these years, accommodating us and giving us the space to operate freely.
“My sincere gratitude goes to His Excellency President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, His Excellency former president J. A Kufuor, His Excellency former president John Mahama,” the revered Paramount King said in a speech read on his behalf.
“I thank the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, thanks to the Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture, I thank most sincerely the Ga Traditional Council, thank you to the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs, I thank Togbe Afede – the paramount king of the Asogli State and former President of the National House of Chiefs, my gratitude to the current president of the National House of Chiefs, Ogyeahohoo Yaw Gyebi, and thank you to the National Chief Imam for his constant support all these years.”
Dr. Chukwudi Ihenetu also expressed appreciation to the almighty God for another bumper harvest. He prayed for strength and good health for the people of Igbo to be able to farm and enjoy another big harvest next year.
“So, today we are alive to harvest that which we have planted which is represented by yam.
“By thanking God at this time, we also plead for good health and the resources needed for the next farming season so that we can gather again next year to celebrate thanksgiving,” the Paramount King of the Igbo people in Ghana said in his speech.
His Majesty Eze Dr. Chukwudi Ihenetu further charged leaders of the Igbo community and parents in the Diaspora to embrace the shared responsibility of teaching the new generation the culture and traditions of the Igbo people to make them better people, a wiser clan, and to create a better Nigerian-Igbos in Ghana
Concluding, His Majesty Eze Dr. Chukwudi Ihenetu thanked all the Igbos in Ghana who have stood by him throughout his 10-year reign as Paramount King.
“My gratitude goes to the Government of Nigeria, the government of Imo state, Senator Rochas Okorocha, Engineer Cletus Amaraegbu, and to all those who helped me actualize the dream of the Igbo throne in Ghana.
“To Chief Harrison Mba Kalu, Chief Isaac Chigbata, HRH Eze Okechukwu Oforoala, Chief Osy Mba, and to the late Chief Cosmas lwuala, may his soul rest in peace. I also want to appreciate My dear wife, Ugoeze Liberty, and to my children.”
The 10th Igbo Day and New Yam Festival were marked together with the Coronation Anniversary of His Majesty Eze Dr. Chukwudi Ihenetu on the theme; “Ten years of Promoting and Preserving Igbo Culture in the Diaspora.”
On a day where Igbo culture was on display, the celebration was attended by several prominent chiefs including the Sempe Mantse, Nii Adotey Otintor II. In addition to the many Ghanaian chiefs that graced the event, were some prominent chiefs from Nigeria who also attended the celebration.
General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia was there as a representative of former President John Dramani Mahama.
The celebrations also witnessed the conferment of Chieftaincy Tittles on several personalities; among them was the famous Nollywood Actor – James lkechukwu Esomugha (Jym Ike) who was conferred with the title Ohamadike Ndigbo in Ghana while Ghanaian gospel musician – Empress Gifty was given the title Ugo Nma.
Below is the full list of others personalities who were corronated:
- Joseph Elochukwu Ezenwali.
Title Name: Ummunna Nwezueaku.
- Daniel Chinomso Bertram.
Title Name: Aririeri Mba I
- Kingsley Ebo.
Title Name: Chimere Eze I.
4) Youngman Ude David.
Title Name: Okpata Ozuoha I.
5) Augustine Dozie Adimoha.
Title Name: Nwabu Nwanne
6) Johnbosco Chikwadi Ogbodo.
Title Name: Ogbuehi Akubudike I.
7) Chukwuebuke Nwerem.
Title Name: Eze Agu I
Source: with additional file from modernghana.com