Gbese Mantse calls for peace, unity in Alajo

Nii Ajor led a solemn prayer session for the people in the morning, asking for peace to reign among the people of Alajor and for God’s blessings to enrich the community.

Gbese Mantse calls for peace,  unity in Alajo

The chief and people of Alajo in Accra last Saturday celebrated the annual Homowo festival with the sprinkling of ‘kpokpoi,’ the festival’s traditional food, at the chief’s palace and family houses. The Alajo Mantse Nii Armah Ajor II, accompanied by the Gbese Mantse, Dr. Nii Ayi-Bonte II, ushered in the sprinkling processes by the customs of the Ga people.

At the Alajo Mantse's palace, the traditional starting point of the sprinkling process, Nii Ajor led a solemn prayer session for the people in the morning, asking for peace to reign among the people of Alajor and for God’s blessings to enrich the community.

He then proceeded to various points of the streets in Alajo to perform the traditional rite, with women, clad in the traditional attire, in tow. The Alajo Mantse also shared the traditional meal, prepared from corn dough, with the people as he embarked on his procession through the various family homes in Alajo The entire Alajo enclave was lit in red as the chief and people were clad in red apparel and regalia with matching beads on their necks, wrists, and ankles to mark the occasion.

Along the streets, scores of people lined up to witness and follow events, which essentially celebrated their gratitude to the ancestors for their blessings in providing the people with food after a long famine.

The warriors of the various clans, known as the Asafos, also fired several rounds of muskets as a show of force and warning to all enemies of the land. Addressing the people later, Gbese Mantse, Nii Ayi-Bonte II, admonished the elders and people of Alajo to accord their Chief, Nii Armah Ajor II, all the respect, adding that this will bring about peace and unity in Alajor.

He entreated the people of Alajo to eschew divisive tendencies to enable peace to continue to prevail among the people. “It is also paramount that you all rally behind Nii Ajor to bring about development programs that will improve your lot,” he urged the people.

He further said the Alajo chief was a recognized chief under him, therefore, cautioned that “under no circumstance should anyone run to him [Gbese Mantse Nii Dr. Ayi-Bonte] without recourse to the chief.” He explained that the Alajo chief's dominance covers areas including Abelemkpe.

For his part, the Alajor Mantse, Nii Armah Ajor II, said the celebrations began on Wednesday, August 17, 2022, with a health screening and free National Health Insurance (NHIS) registration within the traditional area.

“And as part of celebrating the festival in a clean environment, I rallied my people to embark on a clean-up exercise coupled with a gala football competition,” he noted. "I am a straightforward person who will not compromise my front in favor of anyone.

I say it the way it must be said and do it the way", Nii Ajor cautioned in his address to the media.

Report by Prosper Kwaku Selassy Agbitor