Bakatue festival
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10th June, 2010
No Bakatue - Fishermen Warn ...But...
MEMBERS of the Elmina canoe owners and fishermen association on Wednesday declared that they will not allow the celebration of this year’s Bakatue festival.
This, they say, this because they (the fishermen) were not involve in the rituals preceding the festival that contradicts tradition, they state.
Besides, they deplored the attempt by Nana Kodwo Conduah VI, paramount chief of the area to impose Nana Jojo Solomon, a destooled chief fisherman on them.
“Rituals leading to the celebration of the Edina Bakatue festival are on-going and require the involvement of both the chief fisherman and the fishermen who perform greater part of these rituals, yet the Omanhen has deliberately sidelined the new chief fisherman Nana Egya Akonu, likewise the fishermen,” they emphasized.
Addressing a news conference at Elmina the Secretary of the association, Robert Mensah, stated that there will be trouble in the town if the chief goes ahead with the celebration.
He said that information gathered by members of the association indicated that Nana Conduah intended to parade the former chief fisherman, Nana Jojo Solomon, during the Bakatue as the chief fisherman “This, we oppose, and will resist with all seriousness”, he warned.
He said that Nana Kodwo Conduah had not been good terms with the canoe owners or fisherman of Elmina and had been giving support to Nana Jojo Solomon.
“All efforts to introduce our newly crowned Apofohen to the Omanhen and the Edina Traditional Council have been deliberately frustrated by Nana Kodwo Conduah VI “he added.
Mr. Mensah explained that the Omanhen had refused to great them audience despite all efforts.
He said “most of the rituals including the casting of the net on the Bakatu day and the regatta are done by fishermen, and not members of the traditional councils.
All the fishermen and fishmongers at the news conference were wearing red shirts with red hand bands in support of the decision of the association.
This, they say, this because they (the fishermen) were not involve in the rituals preceding the festival that contradicts tradition, they state.
Besides, they deplored the attempt by Nana Kodwo Conduah VI, paramount chief of the area to impose Nana Jojo Solomon, a destooled chief fisherman on them.
“Rituals leading to the celebration of the Edina Bakatue festival are on-going and require the involvement of both the chief fisherman and the fishermen who perform greater part of these rituals, yet the Omanhen has deliberately sidelined the new chief fisherman Nana Egya Akonu, likewise the fishermen,” they emphasized.
Addressing a news conference at Elmina the Secretary of the association, Robert Mensah, stated that there will be trouble in the town if the chief goes ahead with the celebration.
He said that information gathered by members of the association indicated that Nana Conduah intended to parade the former chief fisherman, Nana Jojo Solomon, during the Bakatue as the chief fisherman “This, we oppose, and will resist with all seriousness”, he warned.
He said that Nana Kodwo Conduah had not been good terms with the canoe owners or fisherman of Elmina and had been giving support to Nana Jojo Solomon.
“All efforts to introduce our newly crowned Apofohen to the Omanhen and the Edina Traditional Council have been deliberately frustrated by Nana Kodwo Conduah VI “he added.
Mr. Mensah explained that the Omanhen had refused to great them audience despite all efforts.
He said “most of the rituals including the casting of the net on the Bakatu day and the regatta are done by fishermen, and not members of the traditional councils.
All the fishermen and fishmongers at the news conference were wearing red shirts with red hand bands in support of the decision of the association.
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