The Western North Regional Office of the Center for National Culture (CNC) organized a coronation ceremony to honour Miss Justina Yaa Afrah Donkor popularly known as Afrah, as the Cultural Ambassador for the Region.
This was done in honour of her outstanding performance and high cultural values she exhibited when she had the opportunity to represent the region in the 2022 prestigious beauty pageant, “GHANA’S MOST BEAUTIFUL”, put together by TV3 of the media general group.
The colorful event which was held at the main conference hall of the Regional Coordinating Council, was chaired by Nana Kwasi Bennie I, Chief of Sefwi Juaboso.
In his welcome address, Mr. Edward King Gyamfi, the Regional Director for the Centre for National Culture was grateful to all for honoring the invitation to witness the first-ever coronation ceremony held by the department to make an influential personality as Miss Afrah a cultural ambassador for the region.
Again, he said, “You and I can testify that her exit from the reality show became public discussion due to her outstanding performance which everybody was tipping her to be the winner”. Against this setback, the Centre for National Culture is honoring her as the cultural ambassador to help promote the region’s cultural values among the youth in the various communities and schools.
Nana Kwasi Bennie I expressed his gratitude to the organizers for setting up the event and giving him the privilege of serving as a chairperson among other distinguished dignitaries present. He therefore admonished all present to be prepared to assist Miss Afrah whenever she needs support as she began her new role as the regional cultural ambassador in order for her plans to materialize.
In his address, Louis Owusu Agyepong, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) expressed his appreciation to His Excellency the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo Addo for the creation of the region and its benefits and reiterated that, if not for the creation of the region, there would be no representation from the region in reality shows across the country.
He urged the youth to take advantage of policies designed by the government which is aimed at improving their standard of living in the region and pledged to avail himself at all times when Miss Afrah called on him for support to enable her to promote our high customs and tradition values of the Region.
Miss Afrah in her acceptance speech, promised to uphold the cultural norms and values of our nation and further outlined some programs she has put together for the youth.
The programs include reviving the choral music in the region, traditional dance competitions among various communities to revive our traditional dances, organization of visual arts festival among Senior High Schools in the Region in order to extract talents for job creation.
Others include Education of the girl child on personal hygiene, distribution of sanitary pads, organization of drama competition among Junior High schools in the region, participation in media engagement on cultural related issues to educate the general public on our traditional values.
On strategy to improve the use of the local languages especially Sefwi, Aowin and Brusa in the various schools, she plans to facilitate the formation of local clubs and also ensure the documentation of some cultural practices for generations yet unborn to learn.
In conclusion, opined, “a people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots” and sees the opportunity as an honor done her and reiterated her appeal to all and sundry to support her in the quest to uplift the cultural image of the region.
In a speech read on behalf of the Regional Minister; Hon. Joojo Rocky Obeng, Mr. Ebenezer Amoah, the Chief Director of the Regional Co-ordinating Council said that, culture is very important because it creates identification and that he would be very glad if Sefwi, Aowin and Brusa is made an option for students to study in various schools just like Asante Twi, Akuapem Twi and Fante is studied in schools.
Moreover, he felt excited when Miss Afrah mentioned of her vision that, she would form local clubs in the various schools that would help improve the local languages such as Sefwi, Aowin and Brusa.
He commended her for coming up with such a great vision and that the region was solidly behind her. He again assured her that he, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), the Tourist Officer, the Cultural officer, and the whole region were going to support her in making sure that her plans for the region were fulfilled.
Dignitaries that graced the occasion were Mr. Ebenezer Amoah (Chief Director for Western North Region), Honorable Louis Owusu Agyapong (Municipal Chief Executive), Mr. Edward King Gyamfi (Director for Centre for National Culture, Western North Region), Mr. Mackenzie Okae (Regional Accountant, Centre for National Culture, Western North Region), Mr. Ohene Larbi (Deputy Director for Centre for National Culture), Chiefs and Queen Mothers, staff of the Regional Coordinating Council, MTN Ghana, State Transport Corporation, Teachers and Students from Sefwi Wiawso Technical secondary, Sefwi Wiawso Senior high, ST. Joseph Senior high, some media houses, and family members of Miss Afrah.
Reported by ROBERT ATTOH (PRO, WNRCC, SEFWI WIAWSO
