All roads lead to Akuapem as the people celebrate Odwira today!!
There are many festivals in Ghana that are observed in pomp, pageantry and ceremony. The citizens in particular areas where the festivals are celebrated do their best to make the occasion memorable and historic.
There is normally a “muted” contest about the best dressed person, although no such declaration is made, but from the chiefs, elders, the people and visitors, everyone wants to appear in their best clothing.
We have festivals such as Homowo, celebrated in Accra, Hogbetsotso in the Anlo State, the Yam festival for the people of Ho, Damba and Fire festivals in the North, Fetu Afahye of the chiefs and people of Oguaa, Aboakyer in Winneba and Odwira, celebrated by the chiefs and people of the Akuapem State.
Last Monday, the chiefs and people ushered in the Odwira festival with series of rites in the traditional capital of Akropong. In the centre of all these activities is the young and dynamic, Okuapehene, Oseadeeyo Kwasi Akufo III, who was installed in 2020 and received Gazette notification in 2022.
He sits in state today, Friday, October 11, 2024, to be paid homage at the 2024 Odwira durbar by a number of dignitaries including his divisional chiefs, queenmothers, other chiefs, citizens of the traditional area, visitors, top government officials and politicians.
The Akuapem Odwira has always been a unique gathering of tradition, custom and culture that the people try not to miss. The theme for this year’s Odwira is, “Sustainable development through patronage of eco-tourism and environmental health.”
This year’s theme must be speaking to a certain political language about our environment and it must be a call to all of us to keep our environment, water resources and forests in a very healthy state.
Therefore, a resident of Amanokrom, Nana Kofi Asiedu, suggests that the anti- galamsey fight must be a communal crusade to get every Tom, Dick and Harry involved in achieving environmental health.
The Odwira “pilgrimage” will create a gridlock on the roads leading to Akropong, especially the stretch from Mamfe to Mpeniase, the forecourt of the Akuapem Palace, venue for the Odwira durbar.
Sandra Nyarko, a citizen of Akropong, says no matter the traffic situation to Akropong ,”we cannot miss out of this year’s Akuapem Odwira.”
This year’s Akuapem Odwira is on the theme, “Sustainable development through patronage of eco- tourism and environmental health.”
Providing the choice of the focus of the festival this year, the 2024 Odwira Planning Committee Chairman, Nana Awuku Sakyi, Akyempemhene of Amanokrom and Mpuntuhene of Akuapem, said planning for Odwira 2024, “has been a wholly inclusive process involving all the five divisions of Akuapem, the Akuapem Traditional Council and all stakeholders within the area; the traditional elders, youth, religious, municipal, and indeed no one is excluded.”
He indicated that this year’s event represents the strengthening of the bonds that unite Akuapems, the reaffirmation of traditional allegiances and for all visitors a unique experience, and an opportunity to witness the rich cultural heritage and social structure in its most authentic state.
According to Nana Awuku Sakyi, “the Odwira durbar will serve as a platform to amplify this year’s theme focusing on eco-tourism and sustainable development to highlight progress and prospects for partnerships in this emerging field.”
He added that, “the presence and participation of all five divisions will be a manifestation of Akuapem unity. There will also be an underlying critical message calling for peace and good conduct by Akuapems during this period of national elections.”
The question is who are on the guests list of the Okuapehene at this year’s Odwira durbar? Top government officials will not miss out, royalty and the cultures of other ethnic groups will be on display as well as Nene Sackite, Konor of Manya Krobo and President of the Eastern Region House of Chiefs will not miss the roll call. Odeneho Kwafo Akoto, Akwamuhene and the Ga Mantse, King Tackie Teiko Truru II, will grace the occasion.
The writer is a Chief and known in private life as Ransford Tetteh
BY NANA KWAKU DEI