The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) and Safohen of the Bentsir No. 1 Asafo Company, Maame Efua Houadjeto, has underscored the importance of the Oguaa Fetu Afahye as a powerful symbol of cultural identity, unity and resilience.
Maame Efua Houadjeto, who is also enstooled as Nana Wiredua II, made the remarks during the colourful procession of the seven Asafo Companies through the principal streets of Cape Coast as part of activities marking the 62nd edition of the Oguaa Fetu Afahye.
The procession provided a vibrant display of Oguaa’s rich cultural heritage, with the seven Asafo Companies showcasing their traditional warrior traditions through energetic drumming, singing of war songs, musket firing and the display of colourful Asafo flags.
The event attracted residents, visitors and tourists who lined the streets of Cape Coast to witness the spectacle, which remains one of the major highlights of the annual festival.
Nana Wiredua II said the significance of Fetu Afahye extends beyond the festivities, describing it as an important institution through which the people of Oguaa preserve their history, identity and communal values.
“Fetu Afahye is more than a festival. It is a symbol of identity, unity and the resilience of the people of Oguaa,” she said.
According to her, Cape Coast occupies a unique position in Ghana’s history as the former capital of the Gold Coast and an important centre of education, culture and national development.
She stressed the need for the history and heritage of the city to be deliberately preserved and passed on to younger generations.
She noted that the rich cultural traditions of Oguaa could serve as a source of inspiration for the youth while also contributing to tourism, employment and socio-economic development.
As part of efforts to strengthen cultural preservation and encourage young people to embrace Ghanaian traditions, Nana Wiredua II disclosed that the Ghana Tourism Authority has introduced a festival brass band competition.
She explained that the initiative is intended to revive the traditional role of brass bands in festivals and Asafo activities while creating a competitive platform through which young people can reconnect with Ghana’s indigenous musical heritage.
“The brass band has been part of our Asafo and festival tradition for decades. We want to bring it back, make it competitive, and use it to re-orient our young people to love their own,” she stated.
She said the initiative would form part of broader efforts by the GTA to promote Ghanaian culture and make traditional festivals more attractive to the younger generation.
The GTA CEO expressed concern over the increasing influence of foreign cultures on young people, stressing the need to create opportunities that would make Ghanaian traditions equally appealing and relevant.
She said cultural events such as Fetu Afahye provide an important avenue for young people to learn about their history and appreciate the customs and traditions handed down by their forebears.
Nana Wiredua II further reaffirmed the GTA’s commitment to supporting traditional festivals across the country, describing them as important drivers of domestic tourism.
She noted that festivals attract visitors, stimulate economic activity within host communities and create opportunities for people engaged in hospitality, transportation, food, entertainment, handicrafts and other tourism-related businesses.
According to her, traditional festivals also provide Ghana with an opportunity to showcase its cultural identity to the international community and strengthen the country’s position as a destination for cultural tourism.
She therefore called for stronger collaboration between traditional authorities, government agencies, local communities and the private sector to preserve and develop Ghana’s festivals.
The GTA CEO commended the chiefs, Asafo Companies and people of Oguaa for sustaining the Fetu Afahye over the years.
She said the continued observance of the festival demonstrated the commitment of the people to preserving their cultural heritage despite changing times.
She urged the youth of Cape Coast and Ghana at large to take pride in their cultural identity and actively participate in initiatives designed to preserve indigenous traditions.
Nana Wiredua II said the future of Ghana’s cultural heritage depended largely on the younger generation and encouraged them to see culture not only as a tradition from the past but also as an opportunity for education, creativity, tourism and economic development.
The 62nd Oguaa Fetu Afahye, she noted, therefore offers an important platform to celebrate the history of Oguaa while positioning Cape Coast as a major destination for cultural tourism.
Story by Kwame Kakraba, Cape Coast
