A youth forum in Ghana, the Nzema East Youth Forum has extol the dedication of the country’s former Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Catherine Abelema Afeku for her role in bringing the Kundum festival to limelight.
The group in statement signed by its Secretary, Isaac Gyabbin, said it is shocked at the unwarranted vilification of Hon. Catherine Abelema Afeku, also a former MP of Evalue Ajomoro Gwira for a so called adverse findings by the Auditor General’s report for 2018.
According to the statement the Auditor General’s report claims a misapplication on the part of Hon Catherine Afeku, for supporting Kundum festivals with an amount of 200K cedis.
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“We find certain comments from individuals, the NDC and some media houses as very unfortunate and a total affront, disregard, and disrespect to the traditions, customs and total culture of we the people of Nzema descent.
“We say so because Axim is undoubtedly the heartbeat of the Kundum festival which is celebrated by Ahantas and Nzemas of the Western Region of Ghana.
“Let’s ask ourselves, how has the Kundum festival been supported and sponsored to unearth and experience the full eruption of the festival over the years? We in Western Region pride ourselves with all the minerals in the enclave, how has the corporate entities, institutions, organisations etc sponsored our festivals?
“We wish to reemphasize that since 1960 there hasn’t been any Minister from Nzema East enclave, until President Akufo Addo wiped our tears and appointed Hon Catherine Afeku in 2017.
“When President Nana Akufo Addo graciously gave her the tourism portfolio, she did not disappoint. She leveraged her position to make Nzema Kundum festival, Nzema culture and traditions attractive and shared with the country, the Nzema unique culture through kundum festival where Ghanaian celebrities in the industry were promoted and appreciated. This is so evidential and all can attest to it that it was massive and historic.
“We remember the entire Nzema was in Axim for the final periods of the Kundum festival. You couldn’t differentiate who was a Jomoro, Ellembelle or Evalue or Gwira, we experienced Nzema.
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“Indeed for the year under review, Axim Kundum festival won the Western Event of the Year at the Western Show Biz Awards in 2019.
“For the people of Nzema to see a lady who brought dignity, identity, and unity for our people to be seen being ridiculed because of a budgeted 200k sponsored package for the Kundum festival is rather unfortunate.
“Again for a group of mischievous and disgruntled bunch to denigrate our culture and our Kundum festival is an affront to us. Are they saying that Nzemas do not deserve to have monies spent on our festival?
“Other festivals in this country get more financial support from Oil and Gas companies, and other agencies than this paltry 200K. It is even an affront to us that some misguided people will think we do not deserve what others are benefiting. That is an insult!
“Every region gets its fair share of support from government and corporate bodies for festivals and Nzemas are no exception.
“They should give us a break and stop vilifying our former minister and MP Catherine Afeku.
“We call on all Nzemas to rise up and rally for support to safeguard our culture and identity. How has our Kundum in Evalue, Ellembelle and Jomoro felt over the years?
“It’s painful to see Nzemas slighting Hon Catherine on this, and some NDC activist politicizing the issue as well. Well as for the NDC, it is their stock in trade, but 2021 Kundum is just around the corner. What is the NDC and their MP doing about it? You promised to bring 50 cent from America, we are waiting.”
