By Aaron Hammond 
Customs and traditions carry massive weight in every local state across Ghana. When traditional authorities issue a clear command everyone must strictly obey it. However some rebellious groups at Big Ada decided to play with sacred customs during this year Asafotufiami Festival. They went ahead to organize a grand durbar at the Big Ada Presby Park on Saturday August 8 despite an official cancellation.
This stubborn action has seriously angered traditional leaders and elders in the area. The chief priest in charge of purification rites Nomo Nagodey Bafloe of Ada expressed deep sadness over the whole issue. He clearly stated that holding the cancelled durbar constitutes a major taboo in the land. According to him the defiance completely ruined the sacred cleansing rites performed to purify the Ada State.
The traditional priest revealed that all the precious time effort and money spent on the purification process effectively went to waste. The entire sacred process will now have to wait until next year during the same period. They must also wait for a fresh directive from the Paramount Chief Nene Abram Kabu Akuaku III before performing the rites again.
Addressing the legal side of the controversy Central University law lecturer Mr Julius Odoi offered some clear guidance. He noted that the Ada Traditional Council can drag the defiant individuals before its Judicial Committee for questioning using customary procedures. However the council holds no legal powers to hand down criminal or civil court punishments strictly for disobeying traditional directives.
The law lecturer also addressed traders and vendors who paid for spaces to sell goods during the festival. He advised affected vendors to negotiate with the local district assembly for potential refunds. He added that aggrieved persons who suffered serious financial losses can even take legal action against the assembly. Respecting traditional authority remains vital so people must stop treating sacred customs like ordinary games.
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