The Fetu Afahye of the people of Cape Coast in the Central Region came to a close today, and as is customary, it was a combination of pomp and pageantry, culture, and traditional exhibition, among other things.
Clad in their rich regalia and dancing majestically in their palanquins, the chiefs marched through the principal streets of Cape Coast to display their rich culture to mark the climax of the Fetu Afahye 2023.
The Omanhen of Cape Coast Traditional Area, Osabarima Kwesi Atta II was seen clad in his royal regalia en route to the famous Victoria Park for the grand durbar.
This year’s festival which was under the theme, ‘Celebrating our Educational Institutions for the Enhancement of Ghana’ was graced by government officials and domestic and foreign tourists.
The annual colourful parade of chiefs decked out in regalia of various Kente textiles and matching accessories sat in exquisitely painted palanquins with vibrant umbrellas of all colours and sizes and served as the prelude to the exhibition.
The seven Asafo companies of the traditional area namely: Bentsir, Anaafo, Ntsin, Nkum, Brofoakwa, Akrampa and Anaafo, clad in their traditional company colours were not left out in the over four-hour procession, which started from Mfantsipim School Junction and ended at the durbar ground at Jubilee Park.
While the Chiefs danced and waved, the Asafo Companies, skillfully displayed their traditional flags and symbols amidst drumming, dancing, chanting of war songs and firing of muskets.
The parade attracted hundreds of residents, visitors and tourists, with some standing at vantage points with their smartphones, cameras and all sorts of devices to capture the once–in–a–lifetime scenery.
As the procession got nearer to their destination, the thicker it got and when the episode finally ended at the durbar grounds, hundreds of people including politicians and government officials joined in the celebration.
US Ambassador to Ghana, Virginia Palmer addressing the gathering expressed the appreciation of the American people to the traditional council.
She said, “You have been so kind to welcome American leaders and I see the pictures here to welcome American leaders to Cape Coast and you’ve given them a very deep impression of the past of Cape Coast and the terrible history of the Atlantic Slave trade and also the bright future that Cape Coast has”.
According to her, the traditional council has given them the chance to reflect on the important bridges between the United States and Cape Coast that began in a terrible time.
She said the US stands with the country in supporting the fisherfolks and stopping illegal and unregulated fishing in order for the fishermen to come back with rich catch.
On education, she indicated that Ghana is the Second largest country in Africa to send students to the United States to further their education.
“Ghana is the second largest sender of students to the United States even though it is not the second biggest country and we have deep respect for that and those Ghanaian students build great bridges”, she said.
On his part, the Omanhen of Oguaa, Osabarima Kwesi Atta II, lamented the indigenes’ indisciplinary nature and called on them to exhibit good behaviour towards their elders.
He expressed appreciation for the efforts by the various stakeholders to make the traditional area great.
He therefore urged the citizens to revive the patriotic spirit of their forefathers to change the image of Oguaaman.
Read also: 2023 Fetu Afahye: Inkum No. 4 wins Regatta title for the third time
Source: Anthony Sasu Ayisadu/ATLFMNEWS
