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Oguaa holds durbar to climax Fetu Afahye today
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
Medical Doctor and dietician, Dr Bernice Korkor Asare, has urged women to take greater responsibility for their lifestyle choices, particularly their eating habits and levels of physical activity, to help reduce their risk of developing breast cancer.
According to her, although, some breast cancer risk factors, such as family history and certain reproductive factors, may not be within an individual’s control, lifestyle choices offer an opportunity for people to take preventive action.
She made this known during a talk on the topic: “Role of diet in breast cancer prevention” organised by Times Ladies Association of the New Times Corporation, publishers of The Ghanaian Times and The Spectator, in Accra on Thursday.
The event themed “Breast Cancer Awareness- Promoting Early Detection, Healthy Eating and Prevention.” 
She noted that having a risk factor did not automatically mean a person would develop breast cancer, but could increase the likelihood of developing the disease compared with someone without that particular risk factor.
“Having close relatives who have had breast cancer, particularly a mother, sister or daughter, may increase the risk, although not everyone with a family history will develop the disease,” Dr Asare opined. Read More.
By Adizatu K. Munkaila
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A group of compassionate friends from Innovation Gospel Impact last Friday visited the management, teachers and learners of the Street Academy in Accra.
The visit was to interact to get a deeper insight into the operations of the Academy that houses hundreds of street and underprivileged children and find ways to support them.
The team was led by Rev. Dr Isaac Apenteng Yeboah, a former Director for West African Mailbox Club and Director for Prisons Support Foundation, and Rev. Dale Sutherland from Washington DC.
The call, according to the visitors was occasioned by reports about the struggles of the Academy despite the occasional support it enjoys from individuals and some corporate entities.
Briefing them, the Founder and Executive Director of the Academy, Dr Ataa Lartey, thanked them for the concern showed, indicating that “this is a major boost for both teachers and learners; knowing that their plight is known by people outside their premises.”
According Dr Lartey, the Academy had planned to undertake a number of project to enhance teaching and learning and also procure facilities for the children with keen interest in sports but had to shelve those plans for lack of finance.
He told the team that their biggest concerns were the monthly utility bills that takes a toll on their finances.
“We have a piece of land we planned to turn into an astro turf pitch to train the younger ones whose interests lies in making a career out of football, however, we have been unable to commence because there is no money now,” he said.
Dr Lartey expressed gratitude to the teachers who have dedicated their lives to training these children, rather than going for well-paying jobs and hoped that with time, their conditions of engagement would improve.
Moved by the plight of the Academy, the group donated a cash amount of Gh₵3,000 to settle its water bills.
They described as unfortunate the conditions of learners and teachers of the Academy and pledged to continuously support their operations to realize the dream to build a better future for the unfortunate children.
The group offered to support the school with its monthly utility bills, feeding and staff allowance and urged the Academy staff to remain in constant touch with them.
The Street Academy is located at the Accra Art Center and offers brilliant but needy the chance to pursue their educational dreams by enrolling them in public schools with others offered training in sports and cultural activities.
By Spectator Reporter
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