Dr Papa Kwesi Nduom, 2012 Presidential Candidate for Progressive People’s Party, has given credit to the people of Effutu for their hard work towards the promotion and growth of cultural tourism in the country.
He said Effutu people have unique and beautiful cultures such as the Aboakyere and the Masquerading that needs to be preserved, upgraded and branded to create jobs for the people especially the youth.
Dr Nduom who was the Chairman for the 2014 Masquerade Festival Celebration, popularly known as: “Fancy Dress Dance,” said such festivals unite people and brings peace.
In a speech read on his behalf, he said many promises have been made in the past to improve upon the festival, but nothing much has been achieved because there are so many divisions in the area among the people.
This, he, said is affecting development.
“We the people of Ghana have the power to develop, power to change and power to forge ahead, yet we have our differences, I accept that,” he said.
Dr Nduom therefore urged all and sundry to put the nation first in their heart for peace and development sake, adding that “as people let us unite for development and growth of our mother land”.
He donated GH¢900.00 to each group and GH¢600.00 to the organisers totaling GH¢4,200.00, to help them pay their expenses.
Mr Alex Afenyo Markin, Member of Parliament (MP) for the area, said apart from his personal Education Trust Fund, he has also setup education fund at various churches to assist brilliant but talented students.
The MP said he has given support to hairdressers and dressmakers in the form of hair driers and sewing machines.
Nii Ephraim, Effutu Municipal Chief Executive, in a speech read on his behalf said the fancy dress festival is seen as a unifier since the groups are made up of people from various Asafo companies, families, and political parties and expressed the hope that such a friendly atmosphere could be extended to the annual Deer Hunt (Aboakyere) Festival.
At the end of the programme the Number four group (Red Cross) was crowned the overall best group for the year after going through disciplines including, inspection of costumes, march pass, dancing (blues, highlife, speed dancing).
The group was presented with a trophy as their award.
Source: GhanaWeb
