The Homowo spirit reached the streets of Tudu on Sunday night as the Mayor of Accra, Michael Kpakpo Allotey, and the Municipal Chief Executive for the Korle Klottey Municipal Assembly (KoKMA), Alfred Allotey Gaisie, joined forces to serve a free dinner to head porters, popularly known as Kayayei.
The gesture, organised as part of activities marking this year’s Homowo festivities, brought some relief and a sense of inclusion to Kayayei living and working around Tudu and adjoining parts of Accra’s Central Business District.
The beneficiaries received packaged meals of rice, stew, meat and fresh salad, together with bottled water and non-alcoholic beverages.
Beyond the meals, the Mayor also offered additional support to some women who were carrying or caring for young children, giving them cash to assist with their feeding needs.
Addressing the Kayayei during the exercise, Hon. Allotey said the gesture was meant to demonstrate that the government remained concerned about their welfare and economic wellbeing.
He noted that while the dinner was intended to share the joy of Homowo with vulnerable residents, government was also pursuing broader social and economic interventions aimed at helping young people, women and other vulnerable groups build sustainable livelihoods.
Among the initiatives he mentioned were the National Apprenticeship Programme, the Adwumawura Programme and other youth employment and entrepreneurship schemes, which he said could provide opportunities for young people, including Kayayei, to acquire skills, enter skilled occupations and establish small businesses.
The Mayor also encouraged the beneficiaries to keep their surroundings clean, maintain peaceful relations within their communities and take advantage of available opportunities to improve their livelihoods.
For the KoKMA MCE, Alfred Allotey Gaisie, supporting vulnerable residents should not be left to one institution or individual. He said collective action was necessary to promote inclusion and improve the social wellbeing of people living within the municipality.
For the Kayayei, however, the evening was less about policy and more about being remembered.
The beneficiaries expressed appreciation for the meals and support, with many welcoming the opportunity to experience the Homowo festivities despite the challenges that come with their daily lives.
