The Okyenhene Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin, has attributed the country’s recurring flooding to poor human attitudes towards the environment, calling for a return to responsible environmental practices rooted in the country’s customs and traditions.
Addressing the grand durbar of the 2026 Ohum Festival in Kyebi, the Okyenhene urged citizens to reconnect with nature by changing their attitudes towards environmental conservation.
He acknowledged that while poor planning and inadequate disaster prevention measures contribute to flooding, irresponsible human activities remain the fundamental challenge in safeguarding the environment.
According to him, indiscriminate dumping of refuse into gutters, rivers and other unauthorised places, building on waterways and choking water channels continue to worsen the country’s flooding situation.
“Nature treats us according to how we treat it. If we treat nature well, it will treat us well. Our customs frowned on indiscriminate littering and protected rivers and water bodies through traditional practices and taboos. But today, because of indiscipline, people are destroying the environment with impunity and expect nature not to respond. We need to change our attitude towards the environment,” Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin stated.
The Okyenhene also expressed concern over the increasing abuse of drugs and other substances among the youth. He directed the appropriate state agencies to arrest and prosecute drinking bar operators and vendors who sell alcohol to persons below the age of 18.
“Today, children mix all kinds of substances with alcohol. The abuse of tramadol and other drugs has worsened the situation. These young boys, after taking these substances, end up robbing and stealing. If we fail to stop this menace, the future of the next generation will be bleak. Henceforth, any vendor found selling alcohol to underage children must be arrested,” he stressed.
On road infrastructure, the Okyenhene called on contractors executing government projects to expedite work while prioritising the safety of road users.
Referring to the stalled Ofankor-Nsawam road project, he criticised contractors who receive mobilisation funds but fail to complete their work.
“The Minister for Roads was seen in a viral video lamenting how some contractors have taken huge mobilisation funds from government and abandoned road projects. Today, the Ofankor-Nsawam road has become an albatross around our neck. If you use that road a few times, you will either spend money servicing your vehicle or risk damaging it,” he said.
Touching on chieftaincy matters, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin advised government and public officials to refrain from interfering in chieftaincy affairs, saying such actions undermine the autonomy of the institution.
Commenting on the lingering Etwereso chieftaincy issue, he maintained that the territorial integrity of Okyeman would remain intact.
“You came here and appealed to be installed as a chief, and we honoured you. If you choose to break away, you are free to do so, but you will be on your own. Nobody conquered Okyeman, and nobody can conquer Okyeman. Our territory will never be altered. Not even an inch of our land will be ceded,” he declared.
Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah commended the Okyenhene for his bold and visionary leadership and assured him of government’s continued support.
He reiterated government’s commitment to investing in agriculture and appealed to the Okyenhene to work with traditional authorities to make more land available for commercial farming.
“The Akyem area has fertile land suitable for oil palm cultivation. Government is prepared to invest in large scale palm plantations here in Akyem Abuakwa to create jobs for the youth and increase production for both local consumption and export,” Julius Debrah stated.
The Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Religious and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ibrahim Ahmed, also pledged the government’s commitment to the equitable distribution of development projects across the country to promote effective governance and strengthen accountability.
The 2026 Kyebi Ohum Festival, held on the theme “Rejuvenating Our Customs for Sustainability and Nature’s Connection,” attracted a large gathering of traditional leaders, residents and distinguished political figures from both the governing National Democratic Congress and the opposition New Patriotic Party, highlighting the festival’s national significance.
By Yvonne Neequaye
