The Nae Wulomo, Nuumo Akwaa Mensah III, has described this year’s Homowo festival of the Ga Mashie people as one of the most peaceful and well-observed celebrations in recent years.

According to him, the festival was conducted without the tensions and disagreements that had characterised previous celebrations, particularly among chiefs, priests and other traditional groups.

“This year’s Homowo has been one of the peaceful Homowo celebrations I have had so far. It has also been one of the well-observed Homowo celebrations,” the Nae Wulomo told The Spectator.

He said the various traditional rites associated with Homowo had been duly observed, including the lifting of the ban on drumming and noise-making and other ceremonies leading up to the main celebration.

This year’s celebration also marked 200 years since the Katamanso War, with renewed emphasis on preserving and protecting Ga culture and history, particularly among the youth.

Nae Wulomo said the focus on the youth was necessary because of the increasing influence of foreign cultures and lifestyles on the younger generation.

He said traditional authorities had therefore adopted approaches that combined cultural activities with social events to attract more young people to the celebration.

According to him, activities such as Womba and other social events had helped to generate interest among the youth while exposing them to important aspects of Ga culture and tradition.

He noted that some of the youth-led processions and cultural displays provided an opportunity for young people to learn about traditional practices and understand their significance.

Nae Wulomo also used the occasion to caution the youth against drug abuse, describing substance abuse as a serious threat to the future of young people.

By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu