Tema: Ms. Ebi Bright, the Tema Metropolitan Chief Executive, has pledged to ensure that the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA) uses its mandates to promote traditional activities of Tema, especially the Homowo festival. Ms. Bright made this commitment while leading some officials of the TMA to present items to the Tema Traditional Council in preparation for the 2025 Homowo celebrations.
According to Ghana News Agency, the items presented included sacks of maize, palm-nut fruits, schnapps, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, bottles of water, and an undisclosed amount of cash. Ms. Bright emphasized the importance of ensuring that residents, institutions, and workers in the Tema Metropolis understand the significance of the traditions and cultures of the people of Tema.
Ms. Bright stated, "We must deliberately push this consciousness into the larger population; it's about instituting it. We have already created a desk for our liaison officer for cultural and religious affairs, who is responsible for this, but we need to empower that office to be part of the organization and advertisement of celebrating our culture." She expressed concern that Tema has not been able to export its culture even within the local area, adding that the Homowo festival should be promoted beyond the shores of Ghana.
The MCE also highlighted the need to address issues such as filth, inadequate infrastructure, and unpleasant sites in the town to attract people to the area for the Homowo celebration. She announced plans to transform the Tema Meridian enclave into a cultural center to help preserve the heritage of the people.
Nii Amarh Somponu II, Tema Shipi and Stool Secretary, praised the MCE for the initiative, noting that it was unprecedented for any MCE to prioritize preserving the culture of the people of Tema. He emphasized the importance of preserving the Meridian enclave, where ancestors of the Tema people resided.
He further noted that the multi-ethnic nature of Tema has led to misunderstandings about the traditions of the natives, and creating awareness is crucial to changing misconceptions.
