Wa Naa Bans Hosting of “Pens Down” Programs in Traditional Area

The Overlord of the Waala Traditional Area, Wa Naa Fuseini Seidu Pelpuo IV has banned organisers of the “Pens Down” entertainment program, schedule for Saturday, 12th August, 2023, in Wa, from going ahead with it.

This comes three days after the Queen Mothers Association in the Upper West Region had called on the Regional Minister, the Municipal and District Chief Executives (MDCEs), traditional rulers and other stakeholders to prevent organizers from hosting this year’s “Pens Down” and subsequent ones.

In a statement issued by the Paramount Chief of Busa, Naa Ali Seidu Pelpuo Yelimaana, on behalf of the Wa Naa, the Palace said the decision is necessary to prevent immoral acts such as rape and defilement in the traditional area.

It said the program has the tendency of giving room for paedophilia to gain ground in the Wa Municipality, and therefore must not be entertained. “We are banning ‘Pens Down’ dances with immediate effect”, the statement announced.

The Palace described the organisers as “unscrupulous and lecherous adults” whose intentions are to use the program as an avenue to sexually abuse “the excited young and innocent BECE graduates”.

The Overlord warned that failure of the organisers to heed the call will give the Palace no option than to cause the destruction of their gadgets during the event.

The Queen Mothers had, in a press statement dated August 7, 2023, noted that, “Pens Down” programs are a source of “moral decadence eating deep into the [social] fabric” of regional and national development.

In support of the Queen Mothers, the Wa Naa indicated that the vulnerable children could be introduced to abuse of substance which has negative repercussions on their lives.

“Pens Down” is an annual socialization event organized as a sendoff party for students who complete their Junior High School and Senior High School education. The program is usually held a day after the final paper of the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) or the West African Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). This year’s event for the current BECE candidates in the Wa Municipality is scheduled for Saturday, 12th August, 2023, at “The Shield” located in Wa.

Meanwhile, the Overlord expressed his disgust for recent issues of paedophilia in the Municipality. He said it is an unfortunate act that must be “tackled head-on and perpetrators made to face the full rigours of the law”.

The Palace, while expressing confidence in the judiciary to effectively handle the case involving an alleged paedophile, Rashid (Anaata), urged the court not to “consider anyone above the law”.

He condemned attempts by relatives and friends of the suspect to derail the course of justice, and further pledged the full support of the Palace for the law enforcement agencies in the region in fighting crime and immorality.