Sirigu: The Chiefs and people of the Sirigu Traditional Area are preparing to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the reign of Azukodaana Naba Roland Atogumdeya Akwara III, the Paramount Chief of the area. Naba Akwara III, who was enskinned as Paramount Chief and President of the Sirigu Traditional Council on July 20, 2015, will be honored with a celebration scheduled from December 26 to December 30, 2025. The event, themed 'A decade of leadership, unity and development,' is expected to attract sons and daughters of Sirigu from both within and outside the traditional area.
According to Ghana News Agency, the celebration will provide an opportunity to honor the leadership of Azukodaana over the past decade and institutionalize the Azuko festival as an annual cultural event. This festival commemorates the founder of the land, Azuko, whose vision and courage were instrumental in the formation of the Sirigu community. The event aims to foster unity, promote cultural heritage and tourism, mobilize resources for community development, inspire youth through education and talent recognition, and strengthen national and diaspora partnerships.
During the joint launch of the anniversary and the maiden Azuko cultural festival, a speech was delivered on behalf of Naba Akwara III, urging residents to reflect, rejoice, and recommit to the values that unify them as a resilient community. He encouraged the people of Sirigu, dignitaries, neighbors, well-wishers, and the international community to participate in the countdown to the festival. He emphasized the significance of this anniversary and festival as a tribute to leadership, legacy, and love for their homeland, urging everyone to save money and resources for development projects.
The Azukodaana expressed gratitude to God, his ancestors, the gods of Sirigu, Divisional Chiefs, Queen Mothers, Assembly members, government and non-governmental agencies, and women's groups for their support over the decade. He also commended the Azuko Festival Committee, led by Mr. Ricky Kasisi Peprah, for its contributions towards the forthcoming celebration in December.
Mr. Donatus Akamugri Atanga, the Upper East Regional Minister, who attended the launch, congratulated the Paramount Chief on the successes achieved over the decade and his distinguished service to the people of Sirigu. He highlighted Naba Akwara III's reign as one marked by dignity, wisdom, and commitment to visionary leadership and development. The Chief has championed education, upheld cultural identity, supported women's empowerment through the Sirigu Women's Organization for Pottery and Art (SWOPA), and promoted peace and cohesion.
A brief profile of the Paramount Chief reveals that he is the 15th male child among 30 siblings, born on December 26, 1985. His educational journey began at Sirigu Primary School, continued at Sirigu Junior High School, and later at Bolgatanga Secondary School. After completing secondary education, he briefly worked at the Navrongo Health Research Centre and served as a pupil teacher at Sirigu Primary School. He pursued further studies at Saint John Bosco College of Education in Navrongo and was enskinned as Paramount Chief in 2015.
Naba Akwara III continued his education at the University of Cape Coast, where he graduated with a Bachelor's degree in 2019. He furthered his studies at the International Institute of Social Studies (ISS), Erasmus University Rotterdam, Netherlands, obtaining a Master of Arts degree in Development Studies, specializing in human rights, gender, and conflict. His reign over the past decade has been characterized by a quest for development and proactive leadership, blending traditional wisdom with modern approaches to propel development.
