Togbe Koku Dzaga XI, the Paramount Chief of the Klefe Traditional Area, has advised the youth to avoid getting involved in any violent acts or allowing themselves to be used by politicians for actions that might compromise the nation’s peace as the 2024 general elections approach.
Togbe made this known to journalists at his palace during the Yam Hailing Ceremony, which is a significant part of the annual Yam Festival celebrated by the people of Klefe to usher in a new yam harvest season.
The Paramount Chief asserted that politics is not a tug-of-war where people should have to kill each other or spill blood to win power. Anyone who engages in violent acts that lead to the loss of life, he warned, would be held accountable. Therefore, no youth should allow themselves to be used as instruments of destruction by politicians.
“You have the power to choose the leader and party that you want to lead the country, be it the ruling party or the opposition. If anyone offers you money, take it, but make sure you don’t sell away your dignity. There is a saying, ‘When the wise refuse to lead the people, the people will surely be ruled by the unwise.’ So if you vote for the wrong leader just for money, you will be ruled by that leader. Therefore, make sure you don’t sell your dignity,” were the chief’s words to the youth, the people of Klefe, and Ghanaians at large.
Togbe Koku Dzaga XI also spoke firmly against the use of illicit drugs and substances among the youth, disapproving of how some have made drinking alcohol and abusing drugs a source of pride. In his words, “No youth remains young forever, and drug abuse is not a competition or proof of strength but rather a waste of one’s productive and vibrant years. No one receives an award for substance abuse. If you fail to build yourself up in your youthful days, your youth will pass, leaving you with regrets in old age.”
He continued, “Someone once said, ‘Any tree that must grow very tall must also grow very deep roots to hold it up during storms, or it will fall when the winds blow.’” He therefore advised the youth to focus on developing their gifts and talents to achieve their dreams, rather than wasting them on drugs and alcohol, for there is no reward for such actions.
The Paramount Chief further explained that the goal of this year’s festival is to unite the people. The theme of the festival, “Peace, Unity, and Commitment – Sureties for Development,” aims to bring together the people of Klefe, both home and abroad. Since many from the area are scattered far and wide, this year’s festival serves as a homecoming for all the children of the land to meet and reconnect.
This year’s festival also seeks to raise funds for the completion of a five-dormitory building for the Technical School project, which has been under construction for some years. According to Togbe, they cannot wait for the government to advance the project, so he called on all children of the land to contribute towards its completion. The goal is to finish the dormitories before the next batch of Senior High School students returns to school, allowing those unable to continue their education at Senior High to learn a trade or skill that would empower them financially.
The Yam Festival is the main festival of the people of Klefe, celebrated annually, as farming is a major occupation in the area. This year’s festival will feature a range of activities, culminating in the main durbar, set to be held on Saturday, September 28, 2024, in Klefe.
By Desmond Tinana
