Songhai Youth and Muslim Youth Chief of Tema Alhaji Mohammed Elias has donated GH¢50,000 and quantities of drinks to 16 Kpaashimo youth groups participating in this year’s Teshie Homowo Festival.
The donation, made on Saturday, was intended to support the groups as they undertake various activities associated with the annual festival.
Speaking during the presentation, Alhaji Elias, who is also Vice Chairman of the NPP in Tema East, urged the youth of Teshie to remain hopeful about their future, assuring them that their concerns, particularly regarding employment and skills development, have received the attention of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Presidential Candidate of the NPP.
He said a future administration led by Dr. Bawumia would place emphasis on job creation, capacity building and opportunities for young people.
The gesture followed discussions with leaders of the various youth groups and forms part of Alhaji Elias’ continued support for youth and community activities, following similar interventions in Tema and Nungua.
Alhaji Elias stressed the importance of the Homowo Festival as a significant cultural occasion that promotes tradition, community participation and youth engagement.
He said supporting the youth during such festivals was necessary to help preserve the cultural heritage of the Ga people while creating opportunities for young people to actively participate in community life.
Receiving the donation on behalf of the 16 groups, one of the youth leaders, popularly known as Sweety Jordan, commended Alhaji Elias for the gesture.
He described the support as timely, saying it would complement the activities of the various groups during the Homowo celebrations, and appealed to other well-meaning individuals and organisations to emulate the gesture by supporting community and youth development initiatives.
Alhaji Elias also presented a separate cash donation to the leadership of the Teshie traditional priests (Wulomei) as part of his support for their role in the festivities.
He emphasized the important role of traditional priests in preserving the cultural and spiritual traditions of the community and said their contribution to the Homowo celebrations should not be overlooked.
He pledged to increase his support to the traditional authorities next year.In appreciation, the traditional priests offered libations and prayers for Alhaji Elias and his team and expressed their gratitude for the gesture.