Dixcove Kundum: “We cannot approve celebration when there is a security threat”

The Western Regional Minister says the reason the 2022 Kundum Festival in Dixcove was not approved for celebration was a result of a security threat.

Speaking on the Jolly Breakfast Show, Dr Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah said the responsibility of the Regional Security Council (REGSEC) is to save lives and properties and they cannot give approval to the celebration of the Kundum Festival when there is a security threat in Dixcove.

“Anytime we sense that lives and properties can be lost or anyone can be hurt, it is our responsibility to intervene.”

“The REGSEC does not work alone, we also work with the Municipal Security Council… So in this case particularly, the Municipal Security Council placed a ban on the Kundum celebration way back in 2019 because there were issues between Lower and Upper Dixcove.”

The Regional Minister said they had a meeting to resolve the impasse between the Lower and Upper Dixcove Paramountcies and to consider the possible lifting of an existing ban imposed on the celebration of the Dixcove Kundum Festival in 2019, in order to pave way for the 2022 celebration.

However, due to the inability of both factions to assure a violence-free celebration of the Kundum Festival, the Regional Security Council (REGSEC) decided to suspend the celebration.

The Minister made these remarks to respond to allegations made by the Guantuahene of Lower Dixcove, Nana Anokomah Blay, accusing the Minister of not being fair to his people since he assumed office.

Speaking to the media, the chief accused Dr Darko-Mensah of being part of the unrest in the Dixcove communities.

He said, “The unrest in Dixcove started from Kobby’s time, he was not fair to the people of Lower Dixcove.”

“Can you imagine as a regional minister, he has never stepped foot here?… the only time he came here was when the President was visiting the community to inspect the mini harbour being constructed in Dixcove.”

He later pleaded with the regional minister to be fair to the people of Lower Dixcove and treat them the way he treats the Upper Dixcove community.