KNOW GHANA BETTER WITH HUNIAH TETTEH

Gyogyi is the annual yam festival celebrated by the people of Akyode, in the Oti Region of Ghana. The Akyode as an ethnic have a unique culture which is very pivotal for socio-politico-economic development. Gyogyible on the other hand is the climax of all the yam festivals of the individual towns. The origin of the celebration is the conscious acknowledgment of the blessing bestow on men through yam by the supernatural and the Brukum Stool. Men were able to change the wild yam into the current yam with varieties which produce big tubers within a few months against any other such root tuber crops known by the Akyode people. Thus, it is believed that the crop is imbued with supernatural spirits which must be cleansed in a rite before its consumption. If the rite is not performed to free the tuber of its spiritual power before consuming it, the powers that be, especially the Brukum stool and the ancestors might feel slighted. Its consumption becomes a taboo, and instant death or other ca

Landguards are unlicensed individuals who acted as security men for lands under dispute. The issue of landguarding came up after Ghana went to constitutional rule. This constitutional ruling overthrew the traditional ruling system possibly after 1994. Landguards are now a menace. They are organised criminals who have made up their  minds to extort monies from aspiring home owners or risk violence. Many home owners have lost their landed properties to these landguard activities and this issue needs to be tackled head-on. It apperas the law enforcement agencies have relaxed their fight against landguards and if this is not checked, catastrophe upon catastrophe would be unleashed on  builders (masons and aspiring home owners) and everyone is their potential victim. One Awotse, at Santeo, is considering selling his land and house to move out just to have  his peace of mind. If someone has to sell his landed property just because of landguard activities, what then would be the future of Gha

Mali in a recent referendum, dated June 18th, 2023, has decided to drop the French as its official language in favour of its local languages. French will however be recognised as a working language. It has been over 60 years that Mali had independence from France and French has been the main official language until this recent decision by the people.  The constitutional court has validated the 96.91% approval from voters as the final results. Thirteen (13) national languages spoken within the country will be formally recognised as official languages whiles French, as earlier stated will still function as a working language.      There is hope that with time, there will be a gradual shift from the use of French and fully adopting their local languages and encouraging their use in the international front.  This is a great idea as it would help preserve its local languages helping them to compete in the international front. It is also said that 70 languages which had been known as nationa

THE GUANS (This article is directly soucred from my book: Know Ghana Better) The Guans believe themselves to be a subgroup of the Akan tribe (not all of the Guans though). They migrated from Egypt and through several linguistic zones got to Mali. Their territory extended from parts of present day Mali to present day Senegal. They formed clans and the clans were Ndenye, Shuoyi and Le. The clans were formed for purposes of defence and for other linguistic and cultural functions. After some years, a group of Guans who were at present-day Senegal and members of the Shuoyi clan called the Ngbanye set off to Ghana. Perhaps there was a pre-meditated decision by the Ngbanye and the other Guans to find a more suitable settlement. It is also believed that the leader of the Ngbanye sought the assistance of a soothsayer who foretold him that he will be great in a foreign land. This perhaps prompted him to migrate with his people. All the other Guan groups later followed after the Ngbanye had lef