President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed the importance of the chieftaincy institution as a key partner in Ghana’s democratic governance and development.
In a speech read on his behalf by Mr Armed Ibrahim, the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs at the Diamond Jubilee commemoration of the late Kuoro Wogorei Kanton II at Tumu.
President Mahama described the late chief as a “distinguished traditional ruler” whose reign promoted peace, unity and formal education.
“At the national level, such commemorations reaffirm the importance of the institution of Chieftaincy as a partner in Ghana’s democratic governance,” he said.
Mr Charles Lwanga Puozuing, the Upper West Regional Minister praised Kuoro Wogorei Kanton II as a leader of integrity and service whose influence went beyond Tumu.
The large national turnout was “proof that Kuoro Wogorei Kanton II lived a life that mattered,” he said.
He indicated that, “The revered chief was not merely a custodian of a skin, but a custodian of values.”
Kuoro Richard Babini Kanton VI, the Paramount Chief of Tumu, appealed to the government to establish a School of Agribusiness in the Sissala area to harness its agricultural potential and empower the youth.
He also announced the establishment of the Wogorei Kanton II Educational Endowment Fund, with an initial family contribution of GH¢50,000, to support access to quality education.
The Tumu Kuoro further appealed for feeder roads, revival of the Tumu Cotton ginnery, a new dam, upgrading of Kanton SHS to Category A, and a new municipal hospital.
Naa Volkul Nyuor Tang IV, the Eremom Naa, a representative of Naa Puowele Karbo III, Paramount chief of the Lawra traditional council, who chaired the celebrations, stated that Kuoro Wogorie’s foresight in mobilising the Sissala people to build their first school in Tumu in 1945 opened the avenue for the rest of the communities to begin to have their own schools.
He said, “Whilst leadership is seen in service, his was from conquering communities to conquering illiteracy.”
Mr Ahmed Ibrahim, the Local Government Minister, later unveiled a bust of Kuoro Wogorei Kanton II on behalf of President Mahama and the Yagbunwura, the Overlord of the Gonja Kingdom.
Awards were also given to individuals who had helped in the promotion of education in the Sissala area, which included Mr Baluri Bukari Kasim, the Ali Baah family of Bujan, and Mr Jeke Juawie Sadiq from Ping.
A donation of GH¢30,000 was given to the Tumu paramountcy from the government and another GH¢20,000 from Dr Mahamudu Bawumia on behalf of the NPP.
The week-long activities started with the cleaning of the Tumu township, inter-ethnic games, a video show, and a symposium, which was climaxed with a grand durbar of Chiefs and government officials.