The seven (7) Dangme tribes of Ghana have been urged to find ways to promote unity and eschew acts that are breeding disunity and discord among them to ensure the development of the entire Dangmeland.
This call was made by the Kloma Hengme Association, and delivered by its Director of Operations, Francis Nakotey, on Friday during the launch of the Dangme Newspaper at Dodowa in the Dangme West District of the Greater-Accra region.
The launching ceremony of the news paper, which is currently out on the market, assembled paramount chiefs, chiefs, and citizens of the 7 Dangme tribes (Krobo, Ada, Shai, Osudoku, Ningo, Prampram and Kpone) onto one platform.
The Paramount Chief of Ada, Nene Abram Akuaku III, the Divisional Chief of Manya-Jorpanya and senior Asafoatse of Shai Traditional Area, Dr Nene Tei Djahene Korabo IV, the acting President of the Ningo Traditional area, Nene Kanor Attiapah II, are among some of the prominent chiefs that graced the occasion.
Below is the full speech delivered by the Director of Operations on behalf of the association.
TOPIC: ”Promoting Dangme Unity for Development” Date: Febuary 12, 2016
Mr. Chairman, Nenemɛ, Manyɛmɛ, All protocols observed, ladies and gentlemen……..
History is indeed beckoning in Dangmeland. Today is a great day that will be carved into the history books for the Dangme. A day that the Dangme has got a ‘mouth piece’ that will not only champion our development, but to promote unity among all the Dangme tribes of Ghana—-Krobo, Shai, Ada, Osu-Doku, Ningo, Prampram, and Kpone.
The title for my speech today is ”Promoting Dangme Unity for Development”.The key words here are ”Unity” (Kake peemi) and ”Development” (Nɔyami). Mr Chairman, Nɛnɛmɛ kɛ Manyɛmɛ…..
The key words of unity and development are bedmates. They go hand in hand. Unity and development are ”running mates” for any society or group of people to progress on the ladder of life. If we want our Dangmeland to develop, We must strive for unity. Before our Dangme tribes will develop, we must promote unity which will make us live in peace and in tranquility.
THE LƆLƆVƆ EPISODE AND THE SPLITTING OF THE DANGME INTO 7
Mr. Chairman, permit me to go a bit into the history of the Dangme people. In the 17th Century, the Dangme whilst migrating into the Gold Coast (Now Ghana) splitted into 7 smaller priestdoms including the Krobos, Shai, Osudoku, Ada, Prampram, Ningo and Kpone.
This dispersal of the Dangme took place at ”Lɔlɔvɔ” or the Tagologo Plains. Lɔlɔvɔ means ”Love is ended”, signifying the breaking of the ties of unity. From that moment, the once united Dangme broke away into pieces.
The Adas explored the land esastward and settled in the region of the present Ada or Okɔhue. The Krobos settled on the ‘Akloyo’ (The Krobo Mountain). The Osodokus climbed the Osudoku Mountain, the rest of of the Dangme tribes also dispersed.
”Love is ended” indeed!! Mr Chairman, Nɛnɛmɛ, and Manyɛmɛ, if we want Dangmeland to develop, we must find ways and means to unite again and undertake common activities together. We must put our resources (natural, material, human etc) together to undertake developmental ventures for the benefit of our people.
We must collaborate to undertake common developmental activities and projects together. We must form Dangme groups and associations that will bring us together to undertake common developmental agenda and objectives as Dangmes. Mr Chairman, the current state of disunity among the Dangme tribes has served as a blockade towards our development ad Dangmes.
The current state of disunity among the various Dangme tribes is unacceptable and it is an issue of great worry to Kloma Hengme as an association. As a result of greed, selfishness and politics, today, the various Dangme tribes are fighting within themselves over land, towns, capital towns, boundaries, and resources. Why must it be so??
We Dangmes must know that ”When brothers fight to death, a stranger will inherit their inheritance”. We are all one people. We are all one great family, with a common culture, background and destiny. And the earlier we see ourselves as such and unite, the better for the Dangme to develop in prosperity!!!!!
Kloma Hengme believes that the brotherly Love among the Dangme (Lɔlɔvɔ) is not ended. Brotherly love–the love that last– never ends!!! No!!!! Its up to us the present generation, you and I, to re-awaken the brotherly Love between us the Dangme tribes, and in the spirit of unity and oness charter a common course for our development. Let us combine our resources natural, human,material) in our various Dangme tribes to create jobs for youth, equip our youth with skills and give hope to our people. It is in this light, that we in Kloma Hengme hail the establishment of the Dangme Newspaper.
We think it will promote and champion the Dangme unity and also serve as a tool for the development of the Dangme. We therefore call on all sons and daughters of the Dangme to support this paper, since it is a beacon of hope for the Dangme.
We however urge the Management of the paper to expand their reportage to cover all the 7 Dangme tribes, and not just a few. The paper must not meddle itself in unnecessary chieftaincy politics and must not take sides in chietftaincy factions. Doing so will muddy the already troubled waters of our Dangme unity. The paper must also report on the developmental deficits and challenges we face as Dangme people, and be the ‘mouth piece’ and ‘watch dog’ for all of us.
The days ahead of us as Dangmes promises to be brighter. There is a beacon of hope for the Dangme. And the opportinities for prosperity will be many. Long live the Dangme News paper!! Long live the Dangme tribes!!!! Long live Ghana!!!!! Mau nɛ piɛ wa he!!!!!!!!
