THE MP for Odododiodoo, Mr Jonathan Tackie-Komme, has commended the chiefs and people of Ga Mashie, for ensuring a peaceful celebrayion of this year’s Homowo Festival in Accra at the weekend.

He also expressed gratitude to the security agencies for handling the celebration in a way that did not lead to any confrontation and conflict.

There had been speculations that the celebration could be marred by factional confrontation which would pose a security threat.

This made the Greater Accra Regional Police Command to impose restrictions on the eve of the anniversary, but the festival passed off peacefully without any incidence of violence or conflict.

Mr. Tackie-Komme, who was speaking at a Homowo get-together for a cross-section of the community at James Town in Accra, commended the National Peace Council headed by His Eminence Peter Cardinal Appiah-Turkson, Catholic Archbishop of Cape Coast, for mediating between the parties in the dispute in the area to ensure a peaceful Homowo celebration.                  

The MP also praised the Ga-Dangbe Council and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for their messages, which contributed to a peaceful celebration.                   

Mr. Tackie- Komme, in wishing the people a happy celebration said in the Ga language, “Gamei, afio afi. Afi aye ni eba nina wo”, meaning “Ga people, happy anniversary. May we witness another year”.                   

Mr. Daniel Nii Okai, Constituency Chairman of the NDC, appealed to members of the party not to meddle in the chieftaincy crisis in the area.                   

“Do not draw the chieftaincy crisis into the party because there are members from both sides and if we bring this into our ranks it will disorganize the party and divide our front”, he advised.                     

Mr. Okai said, “The party needs unity now more than ever before and we should not encourage any matter that would divide our ranks to ensure resounding victory in the 2008 elections”.                     

As part of the celebration, Mr. Tackie-Komme, on Sunday presented jerseys and footballs to some clubs within the constituency after taking the kick-off in gala matches at two locations.                      

At the London Market Park near the Fire Service Training School at James Town, the MP presented four sets of jerseys to the teams that participated in a gala there.                      

He presented sets of jerseys, a football and assorted drinks to Eyes Are Watching Football Club, Silver Gym Lee Temple and Mandingo Boys football clubs.                      

The gala matches between the teams, made up of old football players including former national stars, are played every year as part of the Homowo celebration.                       

Obedience Dadzie, a former star of Okwahu United, Accra Standfast and Zebi, all former First Division teams, on behalf of the clubs, received the jerseys, refreshment from Mr Tackie-Komme at the London Market Part.                       

At the Mantse Agbona Park, the MP presented two sets of jerseys, two footballs and refreshment to Kofi Bruce, a former national player and Hearts of Oak Star, on behalf of the Old Stars Club and the Mantse Agbona Football Club.                       

Speaking before taking the kick-off, he advised the youth to get actively involved in sports to keep fit and to avoid social vices such as alcoholism and drug addiction.                        

He noted that sports could be used as a tool to mobilize the people for development, especially for activities such as clean-up exercises and other programmes within communities.     –GNA

            DAILY GRAPHIC      -           Tuesday August 14, 2007         Page:  29