IT'S FESTIVAL TIME AGAIN

On Friday 14th october 2011, I went to Akropong Akuapem for a seminar at the District Assembly and that environment was enough to notify you of great happenings in the town. I did not even attempt to enter the town because the stress one has to go through in order to penetrate the human and vehicular traffic was beyond imagination. I left for Accra thinking of what to do next to get a thing like that going in my constituency if not my traditional area.

On Saturday, the next day after the experience at Akropong I decided to use the same route on my way to Biakoye; my dear constituency. The traffic jams at Amanokrom, one way and Akropong, Akuffo road which were both diversions to ease traffic made me aware of how the Odwira festival has come to stay. It is one of the festivals of Ghana. No doubt about that. In my 6 years stay in Amanokrom, the only times the town was packed as it was yesterday were the burial and final funeral of the late Oyeeman.

One question kept running through my mind; when will there be a festival like this in my constituency? Almost immediately, I recalled how attempts by Ogrohwe Anyenam Kwaku Boateng to develop Frikooso had died after three years due to pettiness on the part of his organizing committee. That festival was promising and the people were enthusiastic but the leaders disappointed them. YES! AKWANTUTENTEN of Worawora also came to mind. It nearly suffered the same fate but thanks to the exuberant youth led by Gyamfi, it is back and bigger. Ntsumuru Yam festival also came to mind; it is small, steady and picking up. Thanks to Sir Carlos and his team.

One name that has come to stay and synonimous to the growth of Biakoye through festivals is the OFORI-ASIEDU foundation. This foundation is ably managed by me; Dennis Ofori-Asiedu. This foundation seeks to combine the exuberance of the youth with the experience of the elderly to the benefit of all. Formal, Non-formal and informal educational techniques will be adopted through integration to achieve this "POSITIVE MISSION" This foundation will seek to maximize the little contribution of every person to his or her own life and community accruing essentially to the total growth of the whole constituency. Interdependence at least if not independence through profitable skills acquistion and quality education is the goal.

Already, the foundation has worked under household names such as 'Visionaries Keep Fit Club', Visionaries Club and YPI all to the benefit of the people of Biakoye. It has also partnered TAKE 2 WATER and BUFFALO BITTERS to engage in festival promotions. Last year 2010, We were there for Ntsumuru and Worawora with packages that might not appear big but made a lot of impact on the events. The package included; 45 minutes on Lorlornyo fm, T shirts, seedlings for tree planting exercise, used cloths for a deprived community of choice,free water for health walk and medical screening for residents.This contribution changed the face of both festivals completely and has encouraged organizers to do it again this year.

Thankfully, this year 2011, COWBELL has joined AKWANTUTENTEN and organizers have shown gratitude by standing by us; OFORI-ASIEDU foundation and TAKE 2 WATER the OFFICIAL water supplier for AKWANTUTENTEN 2011. We are proud to announce our package for this year and the ushering in of our new name; "OFORI-ASIEDU FOUNDATION" A name that will change a lot and impact a lot more. Be part of this foundation, contribute to it and move Biakoye to the next level.

Today 16th October 2011, 14.30GMT (2.30pm), Rashid will host the team from Nkonya Ntsumuru to give the line up of events for Ntsumuru Yam Festival 2011 and fall out from festival 2010. The package will include water from TAKE 2, Jewellery from STELO JEWELS for all beauty contestants and 1st prize from STUWEB TOURS LTD your surest and cheapest way to Israel on christian pilgrimage. The people of Agyamansu will also benefit from this year's used cloth donation.

Sunday October 23 2011 14.30GMT (2.30pm) is for the people of Worawora to give a run down of events of 2010 and up coming events for 2011. Be part of us this Sunday and next Sunday on Lorlornyo fm in Hohoe. Watch out also for the biggest programme on Lorlornyo ever to hit your airwaves. "Time with Rashid - Biakoye mpontuo"

Ladies and Gentlemen, it's festival time all over Ghana. What is your festival? How big or small is your festival? I now remember this hymn; Oh when the saints go marching in ...... (Oh when the festivals are listed what will mine be?)

I am associating and waiting for you to join me make it bigger and better. People of Tapa; Tapa Amanya especially, we are full of so much energy and talent. We need to redirect our energies into positive missions devoid of petty squabbles. It's on my knees add your hand no just a finger and let's get it up the roof.

I rest my case. I will be in the studio at 2.30pm today you listen if you can.