Damba festival postponed to avert Mamprusi, Kusasi clashes

Mark Wayongo The Damba festival scheduled for Saturday in the Upper East Region has been postponed indefinitely to avert possible clashes between the Mamprusis and the Kusasis. The directive was issued by National Security on Thursday and was confirmed by the Regional Minister Mark Wayongo in an interview with Joy News’ Evans Mensah on Top Story . The Mamprusi youth had accused the Kusasis of fomenting trouble and planning to disrupt the celebration of the Damba festival. Spokesperson for the Kusasi youth, Benjamin Ndago, in an interview with Joy News said once the Bawku Naaba had not been officially informed of the celebration, they were not going to allow such a celebration to proceed as planned. He accused the Mamprusis of disrespecting the Bawku Naaba. With the seeming war of words hitting a crescendo, Mark Wayongo said a regional security meeting was immediately convened to ensure peace in the region. He said the security would ensure that the directive from the National Security would be religiously followed through. Objection Meanwhile the Mamprusis say they will resist any attempt to prevent them from celebrating the festival. Amande Haleru, spokesperson for the Mamprusi youth, in an interview with Evans Mensah said it will be unfair for National Security to take such a decision. According to him, two ethnic groups in the region, Mossi and Kusasi have all celebrated their festivals without any such directive and wondered why such a decision will be taken against them. He said the action of National Security is rather unfair. He gave the assurance that the Mamprusis will proceed with the celebration but will do so in a peaceful atmosphere. The Mamprusis and Kusasis have been involved in a protracted ethnic violence which has claimed dozens of innocent lives and destroyed property. Source: Myjoyonline.com/Ghana