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Oguaa holds durbar to climax Fetu Afahye today
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Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II
Fetu Afahye, a unique cultural festival of the chiefs and people of the Oguaa Traditional Area in the Central Region will be climaxed today.
Unlike previous festivals, this year’s event has so far generated massive patronage throughout the days with merrymaking and other night life activities on some streets of the once capital of the Gold Coast.
The festival which normally witness various cultural performances is held to mark a bumper harvest season and to thank the 77 deities of the Oguaa Traditional Area.
This year’s festival is on the theme: ‘Celebrating the city of the first.’
Today’s durbar of chiefs will be graced by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II as the special guest. The Ga Mantse, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, is also expected to attend the climax of the festival.
This year, being an election year will also attract notable political leaders in the country as they are expected to use their presence to increase their appeal among residents and well-wishers.
This year’s festival which is the 60th edition and the 25th anniversary of the installation of Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II, as Paramount Chief of the Oguaa Traditional Area.
Series of activities were put in place by the organising committee to ensure that this year’s Fetu Afahye leaves a lasting memory in the hearts and minds of residents as well as patrons and well-wishers.
Among some of the activities is the regatta on the Fosu Lagoon which was supported by ATL FM, a University of Cape Coast campus-based radio station.
It was attended by members of the traditional council, residents, and visitors.
The 2024 ATL FM Oguaa Fetu Afahye Regatta is an annual canoe race between the three main Asafo companies namely: Nkum Number 4, Bentsir Number 1, and Anaafo Number 2.
At the end of the regatta, Nkum No 4 came up tops and they received cash, medals and a trophy as their prize.
Anafo Number 2 and Bentsir Number 1 followed in second and third, respectively.
In an interview, a member of the ATL FM Events Committee, Emmanuel Buckman, gave his general impression about the programme, saying the turnout was one of a kind.
The regatta was followed by the Bakatue (the “opening of the lagoon”) ritual.
Prior to the various programme of activities, there was a special homecoming carnival and a drama night to officially kick-start the celebration of the festival.
The event attracted splendid performances from notable groups including masquerades.
One of the outstanding performances was by Cape Vibes Brass Band as they rendered captivating renditions of various songs to the admiration of all.
From David O. Yarboi-Tetteh, Cape Coast
The 29th Annual Dagaaba-Frafra Friendly Games have once again demonstrated that sports can be a powerful vehicle for cultural preservation, business networking, friendship and peaceful coexistence.
Held at the El-Wak Sports Stadium in Accra last Saturday, the games brought together members of the two ethnic groups from across Ghana and abroad for a colourful celebration under the theme, “Unity in Diversity: The Dagaaba-Frafra Model for Peaceful Co-existence.”
The event, which has evolved from a friendly football match into a major annual gathering, featured football, volleyball, sack races, lime and spoon, tug-of-peace and a penalty shootout for senior citizens.
At the end of the competitions, the Frafra won four events, while the Dagaaba secured victories in five, with the men’s soccer match ending in a draw.
The Frafra triumphed in the men’s lime and spoon, men’s sack race, women’s sack race and women’s soccer, while the Dagaaba won the women’s lime and spoon, men’s volleyball, women’s volleyball, women’s tug-of-peace and the senior citizens’ penalty shootout.
However, the games extended far beyond the sporting arena. The stadium grounds and surrounding spaces became a vibrant marketplace, with patrons enjoying and purchasing a variety of traditional foods, drinks and cultural products.
Local delicacies, including TZ, tubaani, bambara beans, pork, guinea fowl, local fowls, dog meat and kosie, were sold alongside traditional alcoholic beverages. Traditional dresses and other culturally inspired items also attracted buyers, turning the gathering into an important platform for small businesses and vendors to make sales while promoting northern Ghanaian culture.
The cultural exchange continued long after the final sporting contests, as patrons remained at the venue to eat, drink, socialise, dance and party well into the night.
In her remarks, the Guest of Honour, Dr Matilda Aberese-Ako, said the gathering represented much more than competition, describing the Dagaaba-Frafra relationship as a historic bond that had evolved into a modern sporting tradition and an instrument for peace.
MTN Ghana has been the headline sponsor for the games for the past 10 years.
By Gordon Wellu
By Gordon Wellu
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MTN Ghana has undertaken a tree-planting exercise at the Chipa Forest Reserve as part of its commitment to protecting the planet and support the restoration of degraded sections of the forest.
The activity forms part of the company’s 2026 Sustainability Month celebration held under the theme “Small Actions: Big Impact,” and its 30th anniversary celebration.
It was held in partnership with the Forestry Commission (FC) and the Rainforest Alliance with MTN Ghana supporting the restoration of approximately two hectares of degraded forest through the planting of 1,666 trees.
Due to the current dry weather conditions, 833 trees were planted during the exercise, with the remaining 833 to be planted when the rain commences.
The exercise brought together MTN employee volunteers, officials from the Forestry Commission and representatives of the Rainforest Alliance, demonstrating the importance of collaboration in driving environmental sustainability.
Speaking at the event, the Acting General Manager for Sustainability and Shared Value at MTN Ghana, Georgina Asare Fiagbenu, emphasized the critical role trees play in sustaining life and protecting the environment.
“Trees are essential to human survival and healthy ecosystems. They absorb carbon dioxide, release oxygen, regulate temperatures, protect soil, support biodiversity and provide habitats for many species. They also conserve water, reduce erosion and help communities adapt to the effects of climate change,” she said.
The District Manager of the Tema-Ada Forest Services Division of the Forestry Commission, Linda Ansah, welcomed MTN Ghana’s support, describing it as a valuable contribution to efforts aimed at restoring degraded sections of the reserve.
The Country Director of the Rainforest Alliance, Nicholas Jengri, also welcomed the partnership and emphasised the importance of collective action in addressing environmental challenges.
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