Gyogyi is the annual yam festival celebrated by the people of Akyode, in the Oti Region of Ghana. The Akyode as an ethnic have a unique culture which is very pivotal for socio-politico-economic development. Gyogyible on the other hand is the climax of all the yam festivals of the individual towns. The origin of the celebration is the conscious acknowledgment of the blessing bestow on men through yam by the supernatural and the Brukum Stool. Men were able to change the wild yam into the current yam with varieties which produce big tubers within a few months against any other such root tuber crops known by the Akyode people. Thus, it is believed that the crop is imbued with supernatural spirits which must be cleansed in a rite before its consumption. If the rite is not performed to free the tuber of its spiritual power before consuming it, the powers that be, especially the Brukum stool and the ancestors might feel slighted. Its consumption becomes a taboo, and instant death or other ca...

Landguards are unlicensed individuals who acted as security men for lands under dispute. The issue of landguarding came up after Ghana went to constitutional rule. This constitutional ruling overthrew the traditional ruling system possibly after 1994. Landguards are now a menace. They are organised criminals who have made up their  minds to extort monies from aspiring home owners or risk violence. Many home owners have lost their landed properties to these landguard activities and this issue needs to be tackled head-on. It apperas the law enforcement agencies have relaxed their fight against landguards and if this is not checked, catastrophe upon catastrophe would be unleashed on  builders (masons and aspiring home owners) and everyone is their potential victim. One Awotse, at Santeo, is considering selling his land and house to move out just to have  his peace of mind. If someone has to sell his landed property just because of landguard activities, what then would be the...