By Brown Chimezie
The 10th anniversary/ Igbo Day and New Yam festival in Ghana, scheduled to take place in September 18th this year, got a boost recently with three notable organisations — The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Ga Mantse and United Nations Education Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) —giving their blessings and endorsements to the event.
A letter of endorsement signed by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Ghana, says in part: “His Royal Majesty, Eze Dr Amb Chukwudi J Ihenetu, the king of Igbo community in Ghana, wishes to celebrate his 10 years Anniversary, since his coronation and crown the event with Igbo Day/NewYam festival.
“The New Yam Festival is a highly captivating art event. The colourful occasion is a visual spectacle of coherence, dance, joy, and feasting for community members to mark the end of the cultivating season.
“Over the years, the festival has attracted all calibers of visitors, such as traditional rulers, government officials, as well as tourists from within and outside Ghana.
“The Ministry endorses the Ten year coronation of His Royal Majesty and the Igbo Day/ New Yam festival and wishes them well.”
In a similar manner, His Royal Majesty, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru11, Ga Mantse and President of the Ga Traditional Council, in endorsement letter signed by the revered traditional council, said: The festival which is in the tenth year, has become a cultural bridge between the Igbo culture and our culture, which share many similarities. Most importantly, the Igbo New Yam Festival strengthens and consolidates for posterity, African traditional cultural practices,” it says.
Again an arm of the United Nations that oversees cultural heritage also gave its approval for the cultural event. In a letter of endorsement addressed to HRM Dr. Ihenetu, UNESCO described the festival as a historical cultural event that has gone a long way in sustaining the culture and traditions of Igbo people in the Diaspora: “This I believe is in line with UNESCO’s mission to contribute to the building of culture of peace, the eradication of poverty, sustainable development, and intercultural dialogue through education, the sciences, culture, communication, and information.” The world body wishes HRM Ihenetu a successful event.
Expected at the epoch event are notable traditional rulers that include: Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi 11 Omhanhene of Sefwi Anhwiaao Traditional area, President, national House of Chiefs, Ghana; HRM Nii Teiko Tsuru11, Ga Mantse, President, Ga traditional Council; HRH Dr. Yahaya Abubakar, Etsu Nupe, Chairman, Coordinating committee National Council of traditional rulers of Nigeria; HRH Dr Appolus Chu Oneh- Echnchia and Egberewre Okori, Eleme, Kingdom, Rivers state, Nigeria, His Majesty, Eze Dr CYC Umeakuka, (JP), Eze Ndigbo Akwa Ibom State, President-General, Ndigbo, Nigeria, Diaspora and Eze Uche Dimgba, Eze Igbo Ikeja, Lagos and Chairman Ndieze Udo Nuzo Ije Title Holders Association.
The Umuduruoha Amaigbo Nwagele Imo-State born Royal Father, HRM, Dr Ihenetu, who is also the Assistant Publicity Secretary Association of Ndieze Ndigbo in the Diaspora, said, the event promised to showcase best of Igbo, Nigeria and African culture in the Diaspora.