A six-member Delegation from the Nungua Traditional Council visited the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious affairs, on 6^th June 2024, to express an appreciation to the sector Minister, Hon. Stephen Asamoah Boateng for his participation in this year’s sacred maize ceremony towards this year’s Homowo Festival.

According to the Delegation, the Chiefs and people of the Nungua Traditional Area were full of praise for the Hon. Minister, because this is the first time a sector Minister of the Ministry has participated in the ceremony in the manner he did.

The Delegation was also thankful to the Hon. Minister for his leadership role in calming down tension during the alleged marriage between Wor-Lumor Konor Nuumo Barketey Laweh Tsuru (Gborbu- Wulomo- Shiste) the Gborbu Wulomo and a teenager, Wor Yoomo Naa Ayemuerde (Wor Dukon Yoo)

“’The Hon. Minister involvement in that situation has helped calm nerves’’, the delegation noted.

In his responds, the Hon. Minister has accepted their appreciation, indicating that the role he played in resolving the alleged marriage situation and his participation in the sacred maize ceremony were all part of his role as a Sector Minister.

He said his doors are always open to them and that they could count on him for any support.

Background:

Hon. Stephen Asamoah Boateng joined the Chiefs and people of Nungua in the Greater Accra Region on 26^th May 2024, to re-enact a journey from Oyibi to Nungua on foot to bring home a sacred maize to pave way for the annual Homowo festival.  He is the first Minister for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs of government to join in this year’s sacred maize rites.

The annual pilgrimage marks the re-enactment of the journey from Egypt by the Ga Dangbe people, when the land of Israel was hit by a severe famine during the days of Jacob in the Bible.

The annual pilgrimage to Oyibi ahead of the annual Homowo festival is to bring a sacred corn which paves way for the Gadangme people to celebrate the Homowo festival.

Oral Tradition says the Gadangme people were also in Egypt with the Jews made away with some of the seeds and planted them anywhere they settled during their migration. The final place it was planted is Oyibi near Dodowa in the Greater Accra Region.

The Pilgrims Walk barefooted from Oyibi to Nungua carrying the corn in white calico followed by another man carrying twelve sticks and other twelve men holding sticks representing the twelve tribes of Israel.

The pilgrims walk from Oyibi, through Katamanso, Santeo, Borteyman through the Motorway and Spitex and finally arrive in Nungua.

During the Journey several rites are being performed at places like Onyaa Akua, Katamanso where the former Greater Accra Regional Minister, Hon. Nii Laryea Afotey Agbo who is now the Regent of Katamanso performed his rites.

Others includes Santeo, and then Batsonaa where bells were placed on the feet of the carrier of the corn. Some chiefs who performed the various rites have this to say.