By Daniel Adu Darko
Akuapem, Sept. 29, GNA – The Okyehene, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin, has called for respect for traditional authorities, elders and persons in positions of responsibility.
He said the growing use of abusive language on social media against traditional rulers, religious leaders, judges, political leaders and others in authority was inconsistent with Ghanaian values and traditional upbringing.
The Okyehene made the call at the celebration of the Odwira Festival in Akuapem, where he also urged the people of Okuapeman to put aside recent disagreements, forgive one another and work together for the development of the area.
“Our upbringing or culture does not allow us to insult people in authority and the elderly. We all know that our parents taught us to respect elders in society, but today, anybody gets up and spites elders,” he said.
The Okyehene said the festival should provide an opportunity for reconciliation, unity and renewed commitment to the collective development of Okuapeman and Ghana.
He urged those who, following recent misunderstandings, had expressed intentions to break away from Okuapeman to reconsider their position and return to the fold.
“On behalf of my nephew, Okuapehene, whatever happened recently that many of you are not happy about, I want to use this occasion to ask that we forgive and those who due to this misunderstanding wanted to break away, should rescind that decision and come back together as one Okuapeman,” he said.
The Okyehene said the history of Okuapeman could not be discarded, noting that it served as a reminder of the struggles and sacrifices through which the area was established.
“We cannot throw away our history and it shows that we will continue to help one another and also history allows us to correct ourselves,” he said.
Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin also called on the people of Akuapem, particularly those who had achieved success outside the area, to return home and contribute to its development.
He said the development of Okuapeman required the collective efforts of traditional authorities, professionals, business people and other stakeholders.
“It will take the elites to develop Okuapeman and Ghana as a whole. Let’s come back home and help those we have left behind to rise together and help the next generation with a solid foundation,” he said.
The Okyehene further called for efforts to attract investors into Okuapeman to create opportunities and accelerate development.
He said unity should not be confined to festivals but translated into practical actions to improve the lives of the people and create a stronger future for the next generation.
“No one can break away from Okuapeman. Once you are Akuapem, you are Akuapem. We are all one people. We should not try to distort the history of Akuapem,” he said.
Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin urged the people to use the occasion to seek forgiveness and rebuild relationships, describing the festival as “a day of unity and forgiveness” and an opportunity to remain united in pursuit of the development of Okuapeman and Ghana.
The Odwira Festival, one of the major traditional festivals of the Akuapem people, traces its origins to the Battle of Katamanso in 1826, when Akuapem joined other southern forces in defeating the Asante army.
Akuapem tradition associates the festival with purification rites following the victory and the incorporation of sacred objects captured during the campaign into the area’s traditional and spiritual life.
Observed as a period of cleansing, thanksgiving, remembrance and reconciliation,
Odwira has evolved into an important expression of Akuapem’s shared identity and communal bonds. In 2026, the people mark 200 years of the annual Odwira tradition.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey
29 Sept. 2026
Reporter: Daniel Adu Darko
Email: [email protected]