The city of Cape Coast, the first capital of the Gold Coast (Ghana), came alive last weekend with rich cultural per­formances showcasing the traditions of the land as the chiefs and people of the Oguaa Traditional area celebrated the annual Fetu Afahye, which depicts the cultural, historical and ancestral heritage of the land.

On the theme: “Innovate to Elevate”, this year’s event was no different from previous ones as it drew large crowds, with residents and other patrons from within and outside the region participating in it.

It witnessed a colourful proces­sion of chiefs and the various asafo companies adorned in regal attire, symbolising the pride and unity of the community from the Mfan­tsipim School junction through the principal streets of the town, accompanied by drumming and traditional dances.

The Vice President, Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, in a speech read on her behalf, noted that the festival was far more than a ritual or an annual duty, saying, “It is an affirmation of an identity, a home­coming and a powerful testimony to the wisdom and fortitude of our forebears”.

“The Fetu Afahye continues to stand as one of our nation’s most cherished cultural treasures, uniting sons and daughters of Oguaa from near and far, bringing together our friends from far and near and inspiring us to reflect on our past as we chart a path into the future,” she said.

She indicated that the country’s youth remain the very heart of the current administration’s national agenda, indicating that a wide range of programmes had been rolled out under the Youth Employment Agency to equip them with em­ployable skills needed for national transformation.

Prof. Opoku-Agyemang further noted that from the various sectors, the country’s youth were discovering new avenues of growth inspired by traditions such as the Fetu Afahye.

She explained that innovation did not mean discarding the nation’s traditions, saying, “On the contrary, it charges us to bring new life into them to keep them relevant and project them with pride onto the global stage.”

“The sacred rituals, the vibrant asafo procession and the colourful procession of this festival are a living demonstration of how culture and development can walk hand in hand,” she stated.

She, therefore, commended the chiefs and people of the area for working tirelessly in preserving the culture of Oguaaman.

The Paramount Chief of the Oguaa Traditional Area, Osaber­imba Kwesi Atta II, in his address, acknowledged the unifying factor in relation to culture among Africans and stated the need for Africans to take their destinies into their own hands

He explained that festivals such as Fetu Afahye offer an opportunity for Africans to remind themselves of the future by working hard and embrace the future in order not to be taken by events.

Osaberimba Kwesi Atta II further appealed to indigenes of Oguaaman to bury the hatchet by reconciling and uniting among themselves to champion the development of the area.

In his remarks, the Special Guest of Honour, the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, indicated that the only thing holding Africans back was Africans themselves, which he said was in the area of an African identity, and acting on that identity.