Oguaa Traditional Area begins celebration of annual Fetu Afahye

The Oguaa Traditional Council as part of the Fetu Afahye, yesterday held the annual ‘Bakatue’ which is part of rituals for the celebra­tions.

Fetu Afahye, one of the most popular festivals in the country, is celebrated by the people of the Oguaa Traditional Area and takes place in the first week of September.

Hundreds of patrons moved towards the Fosu Lagoon to witness the Bakatue.

The festival which would be climaxed on Saturday is on the theme, ‘Celebrating the City of the First.’

A durbar of chiefs and Asafo companies with the Asantehene as the special guest, would be held on Saturday.

Notable political figures such as the Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia who is the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr John Dramani Mahama are expected to attend the festival.

Unlike previous festivals, this year’s event seems to have gen­erated massive patronage from residents and outsiders.

The festival which normally witness various cultural per­formances is held to mark a bumper harvest season and to thank the 77 deities of the Oguaa Traditional Area.

Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II, Paramount Chief of Oguaa Traditional Area, cast a fishing net three times into the lagoon to officially declare the ban lifted.

There were offering of libation and prayers to seek the blessings of the gods for the prosperity of the area.

Prior to the lifting of the ban on fishing in the Fosu Lagoon, there was a regatta of Asafo companies which was spon­sored by ATL FM, a University of Cape Coast campus based radio station.

This year’s festival also marks the 25th anniversary of Osaba­rimba as Paramount Chief of Oguaa.

 FROM DAVID O. YAR­BOI-TETTEH, CAPE COAST