Supply: Bretuova Nana Kwame Marufo
The individuals of Otuwedia Adua in Suhum Municipality within the Jap Area celebrated this yr’s Akwasidae Pageant with pomp and pomp and ceremony, reaffirming their dedication to preserving Ghana’s wealthy cultural heritage and ancestral traditions.
Akwasidae is among the most essential sacred occasions in Akan tradition. Celebrated each six weeks in accordance with the standard Akan calendar, at the present time is put aside to honor ancestors, respect conventional authority, and search religious steerage for the group. This ceremony often features a go to to a royal mausoleum or latrine. There, conventional leaders carry out rituals, provide prayers, pour drinks, join with ancestors, and invoke blessings of peace, prosperity, and safety.
The celebrations in Otuwedia Adua introduced collectively chiefs, queens, elders, youth and residents of the world in a present of unity and cultural pleasure. The city falls beneath the jurisdiction of Akuem Abuakwa Conventional Council by means of Nankese and Asiakwa and is understood for internet hosting a number of conventional festivals equivalent to Omu, Akwasidae, Awukudae, Homowo and Odwila.
Otwebediadua is a predominantly Ga Adumbe group positioned in Akuem land. In accordance with native historical past, the individuals’s ancestors migrated from Ga communities equivalent to La, Osu, Tessie, and Gamasie within the Accra metropolitan space. With the help and goodwill of Akyem Abuakwa Stool, they got farmland for cocoa cultivation and different agricultural actions. Over time, settlers reworked the forest space right into a thriving group, now often called Otubedia Adua.
In an interview throughout the celebration, the Empress Dowager of Otuwedia Adua, Nanahemaa Kaa Okropong, expressed her gratitude for the peaceable coexistence between the Otuwedia Adua individuals and their Akan hosts.
She mentioned it was an honor for the group to hitch the brethren of Akwasidae in observing the competition of Akwasidae on Sunday, June 7, 2026. In accordance with her, respecting the traditions and customs of host communities is important to selling peaceable coexistence, mutual understanding and nationwide unity.
Mr. Nanahemaa Kaa Okropong defined that simply as many Akan communities take part within the Homowo competition of the Ga individuals in Accra, settlers dwelling in Akan lands additionally must help and take part in essential festivals and conventional occasions of the Akan individuals.
He additional revealed that whereas Akwasi Day celebrations historically put on white costumes, symbolizing purity, peace and religious rebirth, this yr’s occasion featured black and crimson costumes as a mark of remembrance following the passing of two revered queen moms of the group.
The Empress Dowager paid tribute to the late conventional leaders for his or her contributions and dedication to the event of their communities and prayed that their souls could relaxation in full peace.
The celebration emphasised the significance of preserving indigenous traditions at a time when many communities search to keep up their cultural identification amid fast social change. Conventional festivals equivalent to Akwasi Day proceed to play an essential position in strengthening group bonds, selling respect for conventional authority, and preserving customs inherited from earlier generations.
Because the competition drew to an in depth, group members prayed for peace, growth and unity, whereas reaffirming their dedication to preserving their cultural heritage for future generations.
The event concluded with a message of goodwill and solidarity between Ghana’s conventional kingdoms and communities.
“Lengthy stay the dominion of Akuem, lengthy stay the dominion of Ga Adumbe, lengthy stay the dominion of Akuapem, lengthy stay Ghana and lengthy stay the nice individuals of Otubedia Adua,” Nanahemaa Ka Okropong declared.
