The Kusasi Community located in the Assin South, Central and North Municipalities of the Central Region has installed 70-year-old businessman Hamidu Dawda Akologo as their Chief under the skin name Naaba Lass Budi. Until the installation of the new Chief, the Assin Foso Kusasis were under the leadership of the Kusasi Chief of Cape Coast, who takes direct instructions from the overlord of the Kusaug, the Zugraan His Royal Majesty Asigri Abugrago Azoka II, the Bawku Naaba.
The Kusasi, Kusaasi, or Kusaal people are an ethnic group in northern Ghana and southern Burkina Faso, speaking the Kusaal language, a Gur language. The colourful ceremony, full of pomp and pageantry, was highly attended by delegations from the Palace of Okumanin Bafour Asare Akyeahene II of Afutuakua traditional council and a host of sub-Chiefs adorned in authentic traditional regalia to lend credence to the event. The atmosphere was filled with cultural and traditional dance displays, showcasing the authenticity and originality of Kusaal cultural rites.
The event attracted several personalities from diverse backgrounds across the country, including the National Council of Zongo Chiefs, the Parliamentary Candidate of the Opposition National Democratic Congress for the Assin Central Constituency, Shaibu Migyimah, and other notable personalities.
The Guest of Honour, Dr. Hassan Ayariga, Founder and Presidential candidate of the All People’s Congress (APC), urged all traditional rulers across various ethnic groups to prioritise peace and unity. According to him, without peace and unity, development suffers. “I’d like to use this August occasion to appeal to all traditional rulers to promote peace and unity among their subjects. Without peace, we cannot develop as expected,” he noted.
On his part, the newly installed chief expressed gratitude to the Kusasi Community in the area for the honour done to him as their leader. He pledged his allegiance to the sovereignty of the Kusasi tradition, upholding its tenets. “I pledge to be a servant leader, tapping from the vast knowledge of Zugraan Naba Asigri Abugrago Azoka II, the Bawku Naba. I’ll prioritise education for our children and economic empowerment of our women,” he stressed.
In his address at the ceremony,Naba Maliki Azimbe Atiewin, who represented the Kusasi Chief of the Ashanti Region, on behalf of the Zugraan Asigri Abugrago Azoka II, bemoaned the erosion of Ghanaian culture by foreign influences. He fears that if the trend is not reversed, future generations will lose their indigenous culture and identity. He therefore called on traditional leaders to stand their ground and nip the menace in the bud.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/Calvin Powell
