The Ntotroso Traditional Council in the Asutifi North District of the Ahafo Region has launched this year’s Apomasu Yam Festival, scheduled for February 20, 2026.
The biennial festival is on the theme: “Mining and Tradition: Building a Resilient Community through Sustainable and Responsible Mining.”
Launching the event at Ntotroso, the Chairman of the Planning Committee, Nana Akofo Appia Amankwaa, said the theme was deliberately chosen to provoke reflection, dialogue and collective action on how traditional values and modern mining practices could co-exist in ways that benefit the community.
He noted that irresponsible and unsustainable mining activities continue to pose serious threats to water bodies, farmlands, the environment and cultural heritage.
Ntotroso, one of the ten host communities of the Newmont Ahafo Mine, has in recent years also witnessed the activities of illegal miners, a situation that has heightened concerns over environmental degradation and community safety.
Nana Amankwaa said the festival would therefore provide an important platform to highlight these challenges and promote responsible mining practices that protect livelihoods while preserving cultural identity.
He added that a series of activities would be held ahead of the grand durbar, including stakeholder discussions expected to bring together traditional authorities, state institutions and industry players to deliberate on safeguarding the environment while ensuring that mining continues to contribute meaningfully to local development.
The event is expected to attract high-profile personalities, including President John Dramani Mahama, government officials, stakeholders from the mining industry, traditional rulers from across the country, as well as representatives of state and private institutions.
Addressing the gathering, the Paramount Chief of the Ntotroso Traditional Area, Barima Twereku Ampem III, said the core objective of this year’s celebration is to raise funds to address educational infrastructure gaps within the community.
He noted that government alone cannot shoulder every development responsibility, stressing the need for traditional authorities to complement national efforts in providing critical social infrastructure.
The Paramount Chief cited the Ntotroso Nurses and Midwifery Training College and the Ntotroso Senior High School—both established through community initiative—as institutions currently lacking key facilities required to enhance teaching and learning.
Touching on the cultural significance of the festival, Barima Twereku Ampem III said the Apomasu Yam Festival remains a strong symbol of identity and heritage for the people of Ntotroso, reflecting their historical relationship with the land.
“For generations, the land has not only been a source of livelihood but also a sacred inheritance passed down from our ancestors to the present and unborn generations,” he said.
He expressed optimism that the 2026 celebration would advance discussions on balancing mineral exploitation with environmental protection, cultural preservation and sustainable development.
From Daniel Dzirasah, Ntotroso
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