An entourage made up of traditional Authorities of the Brong Kingdom in Côte d’Ivoire and members of the Adaye Kessie Foundation have paid a courtesy call on the Brong Ahafo Regional Minister in Sunyani.
The group is in the region to fraternize with the Brong indigenes in Ghana and strengthen ancestral bonds which they say have been divided imaginary land borders.
Briefing the Minister on the purpose of visit, the Chief Linguist of visiting entourage, said having identified the strong family ties that exist between Brong Kingdom both in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire, there was the need for them to come and pay homage to authorities in Ghana as they seek to reinforce these ties.
This, they believe lays a solid foundation for socio-economic development of the Brong people regardless of which of the geographical divide they find themselves.
The Omanhene of the Suma Traditional Area, Nana Afram Brempong who was with the entourage said the visit was important in that given the common histories the Ghanaian Brong Kingdom shared with their Ivorian counterparts, such moves are always necessary to bridge the gap that exists between them.
He said as they continue to find a common ground to promote their values, it is important that the core ones are upheld.
He therefore appealed to the Minister to use her office to advocate for the use of indigenous language as means of instruction in schools especially at the early stages. He said the Brong language is the bedrock of all Akan languages, therefore would make for easy comprehension of all subjects if adopted for use in schools.
On her part, the Brong Ahafo Minister, Evelyn Ama Kumi Richardson said she was humbled by the courtesy the group have accorded to have come all the way to see her. Agreeing to the fact that they shared common values, the Minister said she was open to working with the group and all Brong indigenes regardless of their location for the growth and economic progress of their communities.
The visibly gleeful Minister said she is prepared to work together with their people on the other side to advance their cause in whatever sphere they deem appropriate.
His Majesty Nana Bibi II Head of the Pinango Province of the Kingdom Brong,(Cote D’Ivoire) and leader of the delegation added that, they want to thank the Minister for granting them an audience and would like to invite the Minister to be a patron of the foundation of the Adaekese festival.
The group extended an invitation to the Minister to attend this year’s Adaye Kessie Festival and asked that she becomes a patron of the Foundation which she willingly obliged.
The President of the Adaye Kessie Foundation Bini Ouattara presented materials of the festival to the Minister and urged for cultural cooperation between the two countries.
Aside the Minister, the group also called on some local authorities including the Omanhene of the Dormaa traditional area.
By: Samuel Obeng Appah
