The Upper East Regional Chapter of the Gonja land Youth Association has marked 2025 Damba festival with display of culture, heritage and tradition of the Gonja people in Bolgatanga.
Every year, Gonjas who live in the Upper East Region come together as one family to make merry and bond the spirit of their ancestors who sacrificed to uphold the traditions of the Gonja people.
The Gonja land Youth in the region portrayed a high level of togetherness and a helping hand to one another in the area of education, health and social life and this has been recommended by other people observe from afar.
The festival was used as an avenue to project the traditional attire ( Fugu), music and the special dance of the Gonja people.
The vice Chairman of the Gonja land Youth Association in the Upper East Region, Abubakar Musah-Dey extended a heart of gratitude to everyone who made time to join them to celebrate the Damba festival with the theme: “Empowering the youth, our Culture, Our Heritage”.
Mr. Abubakar Musah-Dey explains the rational of the theme of the festival and the importance of the youth empowerment in national development.
“DAMBA is more than a festival. It is a living expression of who we are as Gonja people, our history, our values, our unity, and our pride. It reminds us that culture is not something to be remembered only in the past, but a living legacy to be protected, practiced, and passed on to future generations.
Our youth are the true custodians of this heritage. When we empower the youth with knowledge, skills, discipline, and a strong sense of identity, we are safeguarding the soul of Gonja Land”, he said.
“An empowered youth becomes a visionary leader, a bold innovator, and a proud ambassador of our traditions, carrying the essence of our homeland to every corner of the world, just as we do here in the diaspora.
As a youth association, we must embrace the wisdom of our traditions while also equipping ourselves to navigate the challenges of the modern world. Let us learn our language, uphold our customs, and remain tireless in the pursuit of education, entrepreneurship, and community development. By doing so, we honour our ancestors and build a stronger future”, he added.
The Gonja land Youth Association has therefore called upon all stakeholders, Chiefs, parents, opinion leaders and partners to continue supporting youth development initiatives.
That their support is the bridge that allows their heritage to remain both vibrant and relevant in a changing world and that together, they can ensure the Gonja flame never dims.
The festival brought together other tribes to like the Dagombas, Bimobas, Sissalas, Walas, Wangaras and many tribes living in the region in solidarity and respect to the Damba spirit.
