Odwira Unlimited 2019: When culture met arts, tourism and entertainment

Akropong Akuapem was greeted with a potpourri of enthralling activities this year, with people from far and near, joining in the celebration of the Odwira festival.

The celebration started on Monday, September 16, 2019, ended on Sunday, September 22, 2019.

This year’s Odwira Festival was marked with path clearing by the traditional leaders, outdooring of the new yam and ritual of purification.

There were also arts exhibition, kids’ funfair, dance and gymnastic displays and music concerts.

On Friday, September 20, 2019, there was a theatre performance by playwright Chief Moomen who staged the journey of Okuapeman at the forecourt of the palace.

Later in the evening, Mr Eazi, Pope Skinny, King Promise, J Derobie thrilled patrons with spectacular performances at the Odwira Unlimited music concert.

On Saturday, September 21, 2019, patrons of the festival had a walking tour along the street of historic points of interest.

These were followed by outdoor games, another street jam and a fundraising dinner at the Presbyterian College of Education. This will feature Kwabena Kwabena. The fundraising was meant to for the Akuapem Educational Trust, a scheme that has been instituted by Okuapeman to lend a hand to needy by brilliant students.

On Sunday, Okuapeman converged at the Christ Chapel of the Presbyterian Church for a thanksgiving service.

The whole township was littered with spots of varied activities from pubs, food vendors, media houses and event companies.

The principal streets were choked with people from all walks of life, coming through to have fun and experience the great culture of the people of Akropong Akuapem.

The entire celebration was climaxed with a boxing bout between Joshua Clottey (Ghana) and Aziz Mponda (Tanzania) at the Forecourt of the Chief’s Palace.

Citi TV and Citi FM featured prominently in this year’s Odwira Festival, providing quality entertainment with the Kwanpa Band, Mr Eazi, King Promise and Pope Skinny.

 

The Odwira Festival is celebrated by the people of Akropong-Akuapim, Aburi, Larteh and Mamfi in the Eastern Region in the month of September.

Its significance is to celebrate their victory over the invincible Ashanti army during the historic battle of Katamansu near Dodowa in 1826 and also to cleanse themselves and ask for protection from their gods.

Odwira Festival is a week-long series of traditions and rituals performed to purify the town, the people and most importantly, the ancestral stools of the Chiefs.

It is also a festival to celebrate the harvest of “new yams.”