By Laudia Sawer
Tema, April 04, GNA – Some youth groups at Tema Manhean have called on traditional leaders and the people of the area, to ensure that this year’s Kplejoo festival is observed in peace without any incidents.
They indicated that the deaths recorded from the youth clash with the Ghana Navy during last year’s Kplejoo had left a scar on their minds, therefore their resolve to ensure that such an incident would not occur during such celebrations.
Kplejoo, a planting of seeds festival, is one of the two festivals celebrated by the people of Tema.
It precedes the Homowo celebrations, used for the planting of maize, while a ban on drumming and noise-making is also put in place to allow for some calmness in the environment for the seeds to sprout.
One of the key features of the occasion is the traditional Kple dance, a preserve of the traditional priests and priestesses who are required to dance within the confines of the shrines of the four principal gods of Tema.
Their coordinated movements amidst singing extol the gods and the recall of their protection and ancestral deeds while praying to them for a bumper harvest.
The Kple festival is also used by the youth groupings as a peer review mechanism. They go to town dressed in uniforms and fancy apparel, wave flags, and sing songs composed for their intentions.
As the 2025 Kplejoo festival is to be celebrated from Friday, April 4, 2025, the groups, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), said they use the period through their songs to give praise to the deserving and shame and reprimand those who have committed unacceptable acts during the period.
Nii Amarh Nature, a member of the “Auntie Maanaa” Kple group, said they expected the traditional leaders to have called all the groups together to address and update them on the outcomes of last year’s Kplejoo shooting incident before holding this year’s own, as it could affect their morale.
He added that even though their parents had become skeptical and cautioned them against participating this year due to the incident, they had assured them not to engage in any form of violence.
“When we were children, the Kple was a joyous programme which brings unity; we hug and reconcile. That’s why we have composed a song with the lyrics ‘We will dance the Kple; we don’t dance it with knives and weapons, but rather unity and peace,” he stressed.
He revealed that their group name, Autie Maanaa was to honour one of their queenmothers, adding that they started preparing for the Kplejoo about six months ahead by composing songs and practising.
Mr Kwame Otoo, the music composer for ‘Uganda Soldiers,’ a Klpe group at U-Compound, a suburb of Tema Manhean, advised the group members not to engage in any misconduct and clashes during the festival but to comport themselves.
Mr Otoo added that “though we were advised by our parents not to join the Kple because of what happened last year, we have promised them to be careful and not to engage in clashes. We all know that the original Kplejoo has no such activities; let’s play it in peace.”
Explaining how they came by the group name, he said the youth of U-Compound were strong and hard-working; therefore, they saw themselves as soldiers, stating the group was formed five years ago.
Members of the Kweku Frimpong Kple group also promise to ensure that the festival takes place peacefully, devoid of clashes and incidents.
GNA
LS/CAA