The Traditional Authorities at Asebu in the Central region have said they will go ahead with the celebration of the Afayemkese festival despite attempts by the security agencies and the regional minister to stop the celebration.
According to the traditional authorities, the regional minister, Ama Benyiwa Doe, is attempting to prevent the festival from going on because they had planned to honour former president JA Kufuor at the celebrations.
The Chairman of the Publicity Committee for the festival, Kingsley Bondzie told Citi News they are astonished by the move because they had put in place all the necessary security arrangements ahead of the celebration.
�We are urging all Asebu citizens in and out of this country to come,� Bondzie said. �The regional minister went on air without consulting our chief to tell the whole world there is no peace in Asebu so because of a security threat she has postponed the festival. �
�They said because we didn�t inform them about the coming of the former President [Kufuor], they didn�t make adequate provision for security. Then we said they are wrong because we informed the District Police Commander a month ago and he met with the Traditional Council including the Paramount Chief.
�They [police] were planning to bring 12 police men but because of the coming of the former president, they�ve increased the number of police men from 12 to 25 and they understand if the Vice President, if he would come, would come with his police detail,� he added.
Bondzie noted: �We have video tapes of all that meeting so the Regional Minister cannot come on air and tell us they didn�t make adequate provision. �
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