400 Police officers to provide security at Kwahu Easter

The Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Mrs Elizabeth Ofosu Adjare, and the Mpraeso Police Command have assured the public of adequate security and safety during this year’s Kwahu Easter celebration.http://ghanapoliticsonline.com/wp-admin/post-new.php#edit_timestamp

The Minister said she had collaborated with the Ghana Police Service, the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), the National Ambulance Service, the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) to respond to the security of participants at the event.

Mrs Adjare gave the assurance when she paid a working visit to the paragliding site and other tourist sites, including the canopy walk way, to assess the extent of preparedness for the Easter celebrations.

She was accompanied by personnel from the security services, the Kwahu Development Association (KDA), traditional authorities and members of the public.

“Tourism is a viable economic venture that can employ a lot of people. We want to make Kwahu Easter not only a period for making merry but also, an avenue to make economic gains and attract foreign investors in the area,” she said.

Police assurance

The Mpraeso Police Commander, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Emmanuel Darkwa Owuredu, said the police had beefed up surveillance in the area to deal with any form of crime to ensure that the event achieved its economic and social values.

“We have 400 men in uniform who have been detailed to protect every life during the festive period. Any person or group whose intention is to commit crime or rob others will be smoked out and dealt with according to the law,” he said.

DSP Owuredu urged hotel operators and owners of places of public gathering to be more vigilant about the calibre of people who would patronise their facilities.

Religious History

Easter is a Christian religious festival that is celebrated to mark the crucifixion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Messiah is believed to have been crucified on “Good Friday” and resurrected on Easter Sunday.

Easter is, therefore, observed by all Christians as a period of reflection about the essence of Christ’s death for mankind and the need to stay in piety to fulfill the purpose of his death.

Secularisation of Easter

Even though a Christian religious festival, Easter has come to mean more than just a period of spiritual nourishment.

The Kwahu Easter for instance, is a period for merrymaking, relaxation, homecoming for Kwahu natives in other parts of the world and for promoting the rich cultural heritage of the country.

Among the key activities for the celebrations are paragliding, carnivals, musical performances, visit to tourist sites and performances by the Ghana Dance Company.

The greatest twist to the celebration of the Kwahu Easter was the introduction of paragliding in 2005 by the Ministry of Tourism.

This event draws participating pilots and non-flying pilots from all parts of the world, making it an international event.

Characteristic of most secular events, the Kwahu Easter has over the years recorded cases of immorality, criminality and indecent dressing among the youth, a situation that has been a case of worry among the traditional authorities.

Chief’s appealhttp://ghanapoliticsonline.com/wp-admin/post-new.php

The Kwahu Nifahene and Obohene, Nana Yeboah Afari Buagyan II, who was flanked by other chiefs in the Kwahu area, called on the President to work to improve on the road network in the area.

He observed that the bad road network in the area could be a security threat to visitors to the area during festive periods.

Nana Buagyan also said the traditional authorities had resolved to collaborate with the security personnel to deal with criminal elements during the festive period.

He appealed to the government to invest in the agricultural potential of the area through the provision of equipment to facilitate the mechanisation of agriculture.
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