News Guide Africa

Tag: Palm oil

  • The Glitz of Ohum Festival: Julius Debrah steals show as traditional and political admiration pours

     

    By Adnan Adams Mohammed

    The 2026 celebration of the Ohum Festival reached an unforgettable peak of pageantry and national unity at the weekend, as political figures and traditional leaders converged in Kyebi.

    Amidst a sea of vibrant kente fabrics and majestic state umbrellas, the Chief of Staff, Dr. Julius Debrah, effectively stole the show, garnering immense admiration from across the political and customary divide.

    ​Representing President John Dramani Mahama, Dr Debrah’s arrival and subsequent interactions underscored a deep-seated respect between the traditional authority of Okyeman and the national political leadership.

    ​A Convergence of Royalty and Leadership

    ​The festival grounds erupted with cultural enthusiasm as Dr. Julius Debrah processed through the massive crowd in the bustling atmosphere. Walking alongside prominent community figures, the Chief of Staff exuded statesmanship, clad in a traditional pristine white smock (batakari).


    ​One of the most profound highlights of the day occurred when Dr. Debrah paid formal homage to the Okyehene, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin. The Okyehene looked on with warm affirmation from his golden Susubiribi throne, surrounded by his royal retinue.


    ​The traditional admiration was further cemented in a touching display of maternal blessing, where a prominent Queen Mother of the traditional area embraced and whispered words of counsel into Debrah’s ear, a gesture that drew massive cheers from onlookers.

    ​Political Unity Takes Center Stage

    ​Beyond the customary rites, the Ohum Festival served as an unexpected platform for political camaraderie, momentarily dissolving partisan boundaries. Dr. Julius Debrah shared a warm, smiling handshake with prominent political figures, including the current and past National Chairmen of the NDC party, demonstrating that the preservation of Ghanaian culture stands far above party politics.

    ​”Culture is the thread that weaves our national tapestry together,” noted an onlooker. “Seeing such respect and open admiration between our leaders and the throne of Okyeman gives everyone immense pride.”

    ​A Resounding Address at the Podium


    ​When it came time to address the grand durbar, Hon. Julius Debrah took to the Susubiribi-branded podium, flanked by dignitaries including state representatives and the leadership of the traditional council.

    ​Delivering an impassioned speech centered on local industrialization, community-led economic development, and youth employment, Debrah stated:
    ​”The potential of this region is vast, and by capturing the full value chain of our agricultural resources, we can ensure that the wealth generated from this sacred land stays right here within our communities to benefit our youth.”

    ​The address was met with thunderous applause from both the traditional hierarchy and the thousands of local citizens gathered, sealing the day not just as a victory for the preservation of heritage, but as a personal triumph for Debrah, whose charismatic diplomacy left an indelible mark on Okyeman.

  • Akyem Abuakwa: Chief of Staff unveils plan for mega palm processing factory to spur job boom

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    By Adnan Adams Mohammed

    In a monumental development for local agriculture and industrialization, the government has announced an ambitious plan to establish one of the largest palm processing factories in the country right within the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Area.

    ​The landmark initiative was unveiled by the Chief of Staff, Dr. Julius Debrah, who spoke on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama at the grand durbar of the 2026 Ohum Festival held at Kyebi.


    Delivering the executive address at Eseho, the forecourt of the Ofori Panin Fie, Dr. Julius Debrah made a passionate appeal to the Okyehene, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin, and the area’s traditional leaders to support the state by securing the necessary land to kickstart construction.

    The announcement has catalyzed a shared vision between state authorities and the Okyeman Traditional Council to aggressively expand the local oil palm value chain.
    ​Harnessing the Potential of “Red Gold”
    ​The Mahama administration’s focus on the oil palm industry stems from a strategic push to diversify Ghana’s agricultural output and maximize rural industrialization.

    ​”President John Dramani Mahama is keen on harnessing the potential of the emerging ‘red gold’ industry and its vast value chain, which is expected to create jobs for young people,” Chief of Staff Julius Debrah told the vibrant gathering of chiefs, queen mothers, and residents.

    ​The proposed processing facility is designed to move the local economy entirely away from the mere cultivation and sale of raw palm fruits. By capturing the full value chain, the factory will process raw materials directly within the Eastern Region into high-value consumer items. Officials at the gathering highlighted that the industrial pipeline will focus heavily on producing household essentials, including high-quality soaps and cooking oil.

    ​A Twin Vision for Youth Employment

    ​The state’s industrialization drive directly complements advanced plans already set in motion by the Okyeman Traditional Council to expand its own signature project, the Okyeman Oil Palm Plantation. The combined weight of a state-backed factory and an expanded plantation is expected to serve as a massive economic engine for the region.

    ​The project aims to tackle two critical socio-economic challenges at once:
    ​Curbing Rural Unemployment: The mega-factory and expanded cultivation are anticipated to create thousands of direct and indirect jobs specifically targeted at the youth.
    ​Mitigating Rural-Urban Migration: By anchoring high-earning manufacturing jobs locally, young people will no longer feel compelled to move to major cities in search of work.

    ​To guarantee these outcomes, Hon. Julius Debrah directly petitioned the traditional leadership. He urged the Okyehene, in close consultation with his sub-chiefs across Akyem Abuakwa, to identify and safely release a contiguous, suitable tract of land dedicated entirely to the factory’s construction and long-term sustainability.

    ​A Unified Call for Development

    The 2026 Ohum Festival—celebrated under the timely theme “Rejuvenating our Customs for Sustainability and Nature Connection”—served as a masterclass in cultural heritage and state-traditional collaboration.
    ​Supporting the Chief of Staff’s address, the Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, reaffirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to the equitable distribution of infrastructure. He assured citizens that the administration would continuously remain accountable to Ghanaians regarding its nationwide developmental stewardship.

    ​In response, the Okyehene, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin, welcomed the forward-thinking agricultural blueprints. Standing under the banner of Susubiribi, local leaders and enthusiastic residents expressed an overwhelming wave of support for the project. The traditional council called upon all local stakeholders to display absolute unity and maximum cooperation to translate this massive industrial blueprint into immediate reality on the ground.