The paramount chief for the Damongo Traditional Area, DamongoWura Braimah Seidu Kelly Boresa I has called on the people of Damongo and the Savannah Region to preserve their cultural heritage, strengthen unity and work collectively to promote sustainable development in their communities.
Speaking at the durbar to mark the 2026 Damongowura’s Damba Festival, held on Friday, 18th September, 2026 under the theme “Preserving Our Heritage, Uniting Our People, Driving Sustainable Development,” the traditional leader said the festival provided an important opportunity for the people to reflect on their history while committing themselves to building a better future.
The Damongo Wura said the Damba Festival remained a living symbol of the history, traditions and values of the Gonja people, noting that the celebration offered an opportunity to pass cultural knowledge and community values from one generation to another.
“Our heritage is not merely a collection of stories, songs, and dances. It is the very foundation upon which our identity rests,” he said.
He stressed the need for parents and community leaders to teach children their history, language and cultural values, arguing that preserving heritage should not mean simply looking to the past but ensuring that future generations inherit a vibrant and relevant culture.
The Damongo Wura also used the occasion to call for greater unity among the various ethnic and religious groups living in Damongo and the wider traditional area.
He noted that the Gonja, Sisala, Mo, Kasena-Nankana and other ethnic communities had coexisted peacefully for generations, sharing both challenges and achievements.
According to him, the diversity of the area should be a source of strength rather than division.
“As your traditional leader, I call on all of us to renew our commitment to unity. Let us reject division and embrace dialogue. Let us shun violence and embrace peace,” he said.
He urged the people to build bridges among communities and resolve differences through dialogue, stressing that unity was essential to achieving meaningful progress.
The traditional leader further linked cultural preservation and social cohesion to sustainable development, arguing that development should be rooted in the values and needs of local communities.
He identified quality education, support for farmers, improved healthcare, environmental protection, youth empowerment and opportunities for women as key areas requiring attention.
He also called for investment in roads, schools and health facilities, while encouraging the promotion of agriculture, trade and tourism as avenues for creating economic opportunities and improving livelihoods.
The Damongo Wura cautioned, however, that development should not come at the expense of the environment and cultural heritage.
He said communities must pursue growth in ways that protect natural resources, respect traditions and ensure that future generations also benefit from the area’s resources.
As part of his development agenda, the Damongo Wura announced plans to partner with selected institutions within his traditional area.
The institutions identified were Jakpa Junior High School Block A & B, Kasha FM and Mole Nationals.
He indicated that such partnerships would form part of efforts to support development and strengthen collaboration between traditional leadership and institutions within the community.
Concluding his address, the Damongo Wura urged residents to turn the values celebrated during Damba into concrete action.
He called on the people to preserve their heritage by teaching younger generations their history and values, promote unity by embracing their differences, and work together to create sustainable opportunities for their communities.
“As we celebrate this Damba Festival, let us remember that we are not just celebrating our past, we are also celebrating our future,” he said.
He prayed for Allah’s blessings upon the people and called for continued guidance and protection from their ancestors, expressing hope that Damongo would continue to flourish as a centre of heritage, unity and sustainable development.
Source: Padfm.com.gh/Kumatey Gorden/0243531604
