The 17th Annual Buipe Damba Festival (BUDAFEST 2025) was celebrated with vibrant displays of tradition, unity, and calls for peace and sustainable development.
Neripewura Panfia Kipson, Secretary to Buipewura Jinapor II, Paramount Chief of Buipe Traditional Area and Vice President of the National House of Chiefs, reading the Paramount Chief’s address at the festival held at the Jinapor II stadium in Buipe, highlighted the significance of peace, education, and collective action against drug abuse.
“Peace is our shield and the protagonist for our development,” the address emphasized. “Let no wind scatter Savannah region. Without peace, we have nothing to boast of and nothing in our sleeves.” Buipewura Jinapor II urged the community to reject conflict and emulate the wisdom of their forebears who divided the kingdom in shared purpose, not strife.
The Paramount Chief stressed the importance of education, describing it as a fertile ground for development and economic enhancement. “For Savannah to be described as the beacon of development, then we must embrace education in its diversity,” he said.
However, Buipewura Jinapor II noted a looming threat: drug abuse. “The Almighty Tramadol, Red 225, solution, and general drug abuse is a huge threat to the future of the youth in this country,” he warned, calling on lawmakers and security services to critically assess the situation and enforce laws to control it.
In conclusion, Buipewura Jinapor II urged the community to uphold peace, nurture culture, pursue education, and banish drug abuse. “As the Damba drums fade and the stars claim the savannah sky, let us carry this charge into our hearts,” he said, quoting ancient griots: “The ancestors do not reward the idle hand that poisons itself, but the steady one that sows seeds of wisdom and reaps harvests of honor.” May Allah guide, protect, and grant victory to the people of Gonjaland and Buipe.
Chairman for the occasion, Nyab Tamale Dakpema, emphasized the importance of peaceful coexistence, unity, and sustainable development. “We are one people with a shared destiny,” he stated, highlighting the significance of festivals like BudaFest in promoting unity and celebrating heritage. The festival’s theme, “Promoting Peaceful Co-existence: A Path to Sustainable Development,” resonated deeply with attendees.
Dakpema expressed concern over recurring land disputes and drug abuse. “As traditional leaders, we bear a sacred duty to ensure that land becomes a blessing and not a curse,” he said, urging dialogue, mediation, and customary arbitration to resolve disputes peacefully. Regarding drug abuse, he warned, “If we lose our youth to drugs, we lose our future,” and advocated for collective efforts to educate and support the youth.
Dakpema renewed the commitment to peace, unity, and development, saying, “May the spirit of Damba inspire us to walk together as one people, to confront our challenges with courage, to embrace peace, the surest path to sustainable development.” This call to action underscores the importance of unity and collective responsibility in addressing social challenges and promoting sustainable development.
The Buipe Damba Festival 2025 served as a platform for leaders to call for peace, education, and action against drug abuse, emphasizing the importance of promoting peaceful coexistence and sustainable development in the region.
