The Tamale Technical University branch of the Dagbon Students Association (DASA) have challenged themselves by holding a maiden Damba festival with a call on traditional authorities to modify the annual festivals for economic benefit.
The Damba festival which brought together eminent traditional rulers, politicians, academia, students and thousands of celebrates from all walks of life was under the theme: “Promoting Dagbon Culture, and Economic Benefit of Damba: the role of Dagbon Students”.
The Dagomba Cheif of the University, Naa Nurudeen Ibrahim addressing the gathering tasked ‘Diema Nanima’ (entertainment chiefs) in Dagbon to rollout measures in innovating the annual Damba and fire festival to meaningful impact the lives of the citizenry.
He bemoaned that the two festivals are being wasted annually without any economic benefit to the traditional area, stating that basic social amenities such as portable drinking water and classrooms are still major challenges in the north.
“This maiden festival is organized to show direction and be a case study for the subsequent Damba and other festivals, where we wish the various palaces in Dagbon, Mamprugu, Nanung should consider, we have observed that the yearly celebrations does not drive benefits to us as people and the reality is that because it’s not structured, am optimistic that the festivals if well organized could attract the president, diplomats and tourist to the north and through that we can make millions of Ghana cedis for our own development”.
He made a passionate appeal to the traditional authorities and sons and daughters of Dagbon to revive the ‘Dagbon Educational Fund’ established by the King of Dagbon to help reduce the struggle of students on the various campus.
Cheif Nurudeen further expressed gratitude to Cheifs and individuals who made time out from their busy schedules to attend the Association maiden Damba festival.
The keynote speaker of the event, Zosimli Naa Ife Bell Tipagya charged the youth of Dagbon to be productive, stating that the future belong to them.
She advised the youth to help in sustaining Dagbon culture, tradition and the ecological zone, arguing that the kingdom have been blessed with rich and unique identify, “Am admonishing you the youth to start preparing for your future and the tommorow of this area, you have key roles to play in the development of Dagbon and other settlements, so plan ahead of time”.
The National President of DAYA, Mr. Adam Baba Issifu commended the leadership of the Tamale Technical University branch of the Dagbon Students Association for the strategic step they have taken aimed at adding value to the festivals.
According to him, organizers of the festival have demonstrated their love for Dagbon development, and however advised members of the Association to take their studies serious.
Performances including Taikai, Tora, Nanigo, Kabonwaa and many more were in display.
Meanwhile, other cheifs and individuals who graced the occasion included elders from the Sagnar-Naa’s palace, Wurisha Naa, Nyeb Tamale Dakpema representative, Tamale Sabta-Naa, Deima Nanima, DAYA National secretary, Alhaji Jagbo, Parisha-Naa, TaTU lecturers and SRC, Alhaji Baba Gusheigu and several others.
