By Buertey Francis BORYOR
The Bissa Development Association (BDA) in collaboration with the Greater Accra Council of Bissa chiefs, held its maiden- Greater Accra Bissa Sukuma 2024 durbar, with a commitment to unity, and a pledge to promoting peaceful coexistence with the ethnic group’s neighbours before, during and after the country’s upcoming general elections.
The event, held in Accra, October 5, 2025 was marked by magnificent processions of chiefs and queens in their beautiful and rich regalia and spellbinding cultural performances.
It was graced by dignitaries such as- Council of Zongo Chiefs, members of parliament of Ghana, religious leaders, political party representatives, as well as Bissa people- home and abroad.
It was on the theme, “Preserving our Culture and Building Unity to Promote Peace towards Election 2024 – The Role of all Citizens.”
BDA National Chairman, Alhaji Shaibu Musah Gutare (Esq), in a keynote address at the event said the Sakuma, meaning- ‘coming together’ in the Bissa language was initiated by the ethnic group’s community in the Greater Accra Region to showcase their culture and celebrate their unity.
“Bissa unity has come a long way since the formation of the Bissa Youth Association in the 1980s which metamorphosed into the Bissa Development Association (BDA) in 2010.
“The BDA in collaboration with the various Regional Councils of Bissa Chiefs have been engaging various Bissa communities across the country to ensure that there is unity among us while promoting peaceful co-existence with our neighbours.
“The peace loving nature of the Bissa people has not been achieved on a silver platter. It is a cause the BDA and the Bissa chiefs continue to pursue in order to maintain this enviable record,” he added.
Also, he appealed to the country’s political leaders to continue to preach their messages devoid of intemperate language, as the campaigns for election 2024 intensifies.
Furthermore, he urged the nation’s electoral commission to live above perceptions of biases and favouritism in order to engender the trust and cooperation of all citizens.
Meanwhile, the President of Greater Accra Region Council of Bissa Chiefs, His Royal Highness, Kir Salisu Ali Dabre, while addressing media after the durbar said, the purpose of the gathering among other things was to seek development of the Bissa communities accross the country.
Additionally, he urged the people of Bissa to continue to hold on to their culture while preserving identity.
Moreover, he urged the Bissa youth to eschew violence and coexist peacefully in their communities with their neighbours.
Furthermore, he advocated for peace in elections 2024 and beyond. “I encourage the youth to prioritise and promote peace from now onwards to ensure an incident-free elections.”
