Our Chairman for this beautiful occasion, Prof. Yakubu Awudu Sare, (Prof. of Finance & Dean, Sch. Of Business, S. D. Dombo Univ. of Business and Integrated Devt Studies, Wa.
The Special Guest of Honour, the Hon. Regional Minister, U.E.R
Hon. Members of Parliament Present,
Parliamentary Candidates Present
His Royal Majesty, Representative of the Zugraan,
Municipal & District Chief Executives Present,
The Chief of Kulbangu & Members of the Council of Bissa Chiefs,
Bissa Chiefs & Elders from Burkina Faso, Togo and Cote D’Ivoire
His Royal Highness, Capitaine D’jenjere from Burkina Faso
Past and current Leaders of the BDA, including members of NEC
Religious Leaders Present,
Representatives from Sister Associations in the U.E.R.,
Security Personnel Present,
Friends from the Media,
Invited Guest,
Ladies and Gentlemen.
Mr. Chairman, I am delighted to welcome everyone here to “ZEKULA 2024“. On behalf of the Chiefs and people of Bissa, I convey to you all, our profound gratitude for leaving your busy schedules to join us here today to celebrate Zekula.
The word “Zekula” in the Bissa language means unity. The founding fathers of Zekula instituted it as the Bissa National festival celebrated annually in our capital here in Kulungungu. It is aimed at bringing Bissas and indeed, our neighbours and friends in Ghana and beyond together, to celebrate our traditions, cultural heritage and forge for our common development. As a people, we remain forever indebted to the founding fathers and mothers of Zekula for having conceived and worked hard towards establishing a national festival for Bissa. We continue to recognize the contributions of various groups such as the Bissa Youth Association led by Alhaji Abu and the Bissa Study Group that included distinguished personalities like Rev. Simon Asore of blessed memory, Mr. Dominic Sore Payida, Mr. Abdul Karim Dubiure, Brigadier General Enusah Abdulai, Alhaji Alhassan Haruna, Mr. Musah Sumani, Madam Hawa Yakubu of blessed memory and many other respected elders that time will not permit us to mention all.
Mr. Chairman, allow me to acknowledge the organizing committee led by Mr. Aliu Mohammed Bawure, a member of the National Executive Committee of BDA, the Council of Bissa Chiefs in the Bissaku area, the Bissa Ledinni group, the Bissa Belt group, members of the various BDA platforms, for their tireless efforts and support that made this event possible. To all those who volunteered to serve in the various sub-committees, we are extremely grateful. I also wish, in a big way, to recognize the efforts of our sponsors, Lawyer Musah Ahmed of Accra, Alhaji Mohammed Bina (Bina Woo Company) of Wa, Bissa Christian Fellowship International, the various BDA regional branches, platform groups and all those who contributed in diverse ways for the success of this event.
Mr. Chairman, we commend efforts by government towards achieving peace in Bawku. We are aware of the Asantehene’s Committee that is working to achieve a peaceful settlement of the Bawku conflict. We also acknowledge the sacrifices being made by the Military under the command of Major C.K. Ankamah and the Ghana Police Service, under the command of ACP Adamu Seidu. Also worth acknowledging is the good people of Bawku for our commitment towards achieving peace. It is our humble appeal that we should all continue to support the peace process, for we owe it a duty to our generations yet unborn, to welcome them into a peaceful and properous Bawku.