King Suanu Baridam Brings Yuletide Relief to 300 Widows in Bangha

King (Dr.) Suanu T.Y. Baridam, the Gbenemene and Kasimene of Bangha Ancient and Native Authorities and Chairman of the Khana Traditional Rulers’ Council, has brought joy and relief to over 300 widows in Bangha community through a Christmas empowerment programme organised to enable them celebrate the yuletide with dignity and a sense of belonging. The […]

King (Dr.) Suanu T.Y. Baridam, the Gbenemene and Kasimene of Bangha Ancient and Native Authorities and Chairman of the Khana Traditional Rulers’ Council, has brought joy and relief to over 300 widows in Bangha community through a Christmas empowerment programme organised to enable them celebrate the yuletide with dignity and a sense of belonging.

The traditional ruler said the initiative was inspired by a growing concern that widows within the kingdom had not been adequately reached as a group, despite the important role they play in the life of the community.

He explained that while individual assistance had been given in the past, it became necessary to bring the women together in large numbers to appreciate and support them collectively.

“For some weeks, it kept coming to my heart that there is a particular set of people in the centre of this kingdom that have not been properly taken care of. We have attended to them individually before, but not like this, where we gather over 300 of them at once,” King Baridam said.

According to him, the widows were drawn from Bangha and surrounding communities and were given cash support and food items to help them share in the joy of Christmas. He noted that the gesture was a way of reaching out to women who have endured years of hardship after losing their husbands, many of whom are no longer able to engage in meaningful work.

The monarch, who reflected on his 25 years on the throne, described the widows as silent supporters whose prayers and encouragement have helped sustain his leadership and the peace of the kingdom over the years.

“I believe one of the major protections I have enjoyed is from the prayers of these women. No matter what I have gone through, they have always been there praying for me,” he stated.

King Baridam expressed happiness at being able to identify with the widows and announced plans to expand the programme in future editions. He revealed that subsequent gatherings would involve even more widows and would be organised regularly, not only at the end of the year, to ensure continued care and inclusion.

He also called on leaders and members of the society to always remember widows, stressing that they are important to the community and deserve attention beyond political seasons.