United Nations Peace Ambassador, Dr Samuel Ben Owusu, has been inducted into the Asafoatsemeii and Asafoaynemeii council of the GaDangbe state as a patron, under the name, Asafoatse Nii Kofi Blemanyo.
He was inducted during the 2nd edition of the Asafoatsemeii and Asafoaynemeii conference 2022 in Nungua, Accra, for his love for peace and hard-work towards sustainable peace building initiatives in various communities across the country.
The objective of the conference was to bring together the Asafoatsemeii and Asafoaynemeii in the GaDangbe State to promote unity and forge ahead in peace.
After the induction, Dr. Samuel Ben Owusu in his acceptance speech appreciated the council saying “I am very honoured to be inducted as a member of Patron of GaDangbe State of Council of Asafoatsemeii and Asafoaynemeii and also as one of the Special Guests Speaker for this all important conference with the theme: Leading the Charge for Consolidating, Promoting and Sustaining Culture, Traditional Leadership and Heritage.”
The UN Peace ambassador continued “I thank the almighty God for His grace and mercy on me and also sincere appreciation goes to the Ga Mantse, His Royal Majesty King Nii Tackie Teiko Tsuru, His Royal Majesty Prof. King Nortse Odaifio Welentsi III, the Accra Regional Minister who was present, Hon Henry Quartey, former Accra Regional Minister, Hon Afortey-Agbo, Member of Council of State, Hon. ET Mensah, the CEO of Macdan Group of Companies and the entire council of elders and the executive council of the GaDangbe State Council of Asafoatsemeii and Asafoaynemeii, for granting me this opportunity to be part of this great council of Patrons.”
“At the heart of many faiths, practices, and cultures, is the message of peace and the advancement of a peaceful co-existence which is essential to ensuring productive, meaningful lives and sustainable society to preserve our traditional Heritage.
Our culture and heritage are critical in times like this, where influences have tinted our traditions. Globally, culture is recognized as the fourth dimension of sustainable development and one that permeates all other aspects of our lives. Cultural heritage can be a factor of division but also a component for peace, reconciliation and development, helping to build a better and inclusive future, Protecting and enhancing cultural heritage”.
He indicated that ” moving forward we want to encourage you to form a hardworking peace support team and I encourage you all to join, other community members who are already active in pursuing peace – building goals and sustaining our cultural heritage to continue to Learn.”
Dr Samuel Ben Owusu said intoned that the epochal transformations we face today calls for renewed investment in areas of cultural heritage and intercultural dialogue, especially where they relate to the peace and sustainable development agenda; therefore, in the quest for leading the charge of consolidating, Promoting and Sustaining Culture, Traditional Leadership and Heritage the GaDangbe State( Greater Accra Region) Royals, citizens and sojourners must strategically promote peace: all inclusive, proactively addressing needs of communities, and anticipating situations that may arise.
“I want to use this opportunity to appeal to His Royal Majesty Boni King Tarkie Teiko Tsuru II(Ga Mantse) and President of the Ga Traditional Council, The Chairman of this conference, His Royal Majesty Oboade Nortse King Prof. Odaifio Welentsi III,President of the Nungua Traditional Council and the Vice President of the Greater Accra House of Chiefs, to find a lasting solution to the issue of Land Guards and the Double sale of traditional lands which from report is causing most conflicts in the GaDangme State and the country.”
“Again, I appeal to the GaDangbe State to unite and forester peace since in unity they can build their state to a more enviable one,” he stated.
“Also, I humbly appeal to the Government to establish an educational scholarship scheme both Academic and vocational training to the people of the GaDangbe State to help ensure economic empowerment which I believe has a corresponding effect to cultural growth. Since this is the only state/region that has given bigger parts of its lands to the government for social development since the country’s capital was moved to this region.”
Dr. Owusu again appealed to the Cooperate Institutions and all other organizational bodies who have their various head offices on the GaDangbe land, to honour the custodians of the land with their royalties and other remittances due them to help develop its communities.
By Ellen Agbavor
