The 2019 edition of the Akuapem Odwira Festival, dubbed “Odwira Unlimited”, to which Citi TV is a media partner, has been launched at Cleaver House in Accra.
The planning committee for the festival has promised to deliver to Ghanaians a fully cultural event, while serving patrons who are visiting from the Diaspora with rich unadulterated culture, as part of the country’s ‘2019: The Year of Return’ agenda.
Speaking to Citi News on the sidelines of the launch of this year’s festival, the State Secretary for the Akuapem Traditional Area, Opanin Kwame Bekoe, explained that this year’s theme signifies the endless measure of experiences that participants will leave with.
He further promised that the display of unadulterated Akuapem culture will not be swallowed up by the numerous social activities planned.
“All that we are trying to do is; apart from the traditional rituals that will happen, as it has been happening in the previous times, there is a new touch to Odwira, and that’s how come we say ‘Unlimited’ – various forms of entertainment, fun and promotion of markets will take place. And all these are additional values which we are attaching to Odwira…I can assure you that Akuapem Odwira which is celebrated in Akropong, places much emphasis on the traditional and ritual aspects,” he said.
The Municipal Chief Executive for the Akuapem North Municipal Assembly, Dennis Edward Aboagye, summarised what patrons are to expect.
“You’re not just coming to a festival where you are coming to watch people dance, and eat and drink and make merry but you’re going to have a full experience. We are going to immerse you into the rich culture and traditions of the Akuapem people. I’m sure a lot of people have heard about Akuapem people and how courteous we are. Yes indeed, we pride ourselves in being the home of courtesy, but you get to really experience it when you come home,” he said.
For its part, the Ghana Tourism Authority expressed excitement at the line-up of activities to mark the event.
In a Citi News interview, the Project Development Manager at the Authority, Ben Anane-Nsiah, was certain that this year’s Odwira Festival will tie in perfectly with the national ‘Year of Return’ agenda.
“The President has declared 2019 the year of return because we want to invite the global African family back home. When people like that come, what they want to see is something that is different from the normal narrative. They want to see an Africa that is working – rich display of culture – that makes them nostalgic, saying ‘this is what we missed because we were transported to the other side’. And Odwira is a festival that is very well organised, that is well-patronised, that has a rich element and a display of various aspects of Akuapem culture,” he stated.
This year’s Akuapem Odwira Festival is slated for the 16th to the 22nd of September, 2019 and will be climax with a night of boxing, which will feature three professional bouts, on the 23rd of September.
Alex Ntiamoah Boakye, CEO and Promoter of Box Office Sports Promotions, organisers of the night of boxing, explained the relevance of such a climax to the festival of purification.
“Akuapem people are warriors and you know boxing is all about showing your warrior-like talent. Odwira Festival is a time for cleansing and to celebrate victories in wars and all that so fighting cannot be left out. We have a couple of fighters coming on board to put on a spectacular show on the 23rd of September.”
“Former National Champion, Maxwell Awuku will be fighting against Ishmael Aryeetey. Sheriff Quaye, also a former national champion of the lightweight will be fighting against Richard Amanfo. And then the main bout of the evening; Briamah Kamoko, also known as ‘Bukom Banku’, will be fighting against a Tanzanian, Pascal Ndomba…But before then, we will have the juvenile and the amateur boxers, the young ones, to showcase their talent on the night,” he explained.
