Aboakyer Festival 2026 comes off in grand style
THE ancient town of Winneba came alive on Saturday, May 2, as thousands of people gathered to witness the 2026 Aboakyer Festival, one of Ghana's most celebrated traditional festivals, climax in grand fashion with a colourful durbar at the AME Zion School Park.
Neenyi Ghartey VII, the Paramount Chief and Omanhene of the Effutu Traditional Area, sat in full state to receive homage from his subjects and distinguished guests, as the air around the durbar grounds filled with the thunderous beat of drums, graceful traditional dances, and a dazzling sea of colourful regalia.
The day's most eagerly awaited moment came when the Tuafo No.1 Company presented a live bushbuck as the first catch to the Omanhene, who stepped on it three times to signify its acceptance by Penkyi Otu, the principal deity of the people. That powerful symbolic act opened the way for traditional rites to proceed, a ritual believed to guarantee a bumper harvest and prosperity for the entire community.
This year's festival was held on the theme, "Advancing Our Cultural Heritage for Development," a fitting backdrop for what turned out to be a celebration packed with both deep cultural meaning and significant political significance.
The festival, which kicked off on Monday, April 27, 2026, held special significance beyond the usual annual celebration. It coincided with the 30th anniversary of Neenyi Ghartey VII's reign as Omanhene of the Effutu Traditional Area, as well as his 70th birthday celebration, making the occasion doubly special for the people of Effutu Oma, popularly called Simpa.
Held annually to honour Penkyi Otu for guiding the ancestors of the Effutu people from the Western Sudan Empire in Timbuktu to their present homeland, the Aboakyer Festival remains a deeply sacred event that connects the people to their roots and identity.
Long before the main durbar got underway, the town was already buzzing with excitement. The two rival deer-hunting groups, Tuafo and Dentsifo, took to the streets in their full regalia, dressed in distinctive red, blue, and white attire, moving with a combination of pride and discipline that drew loud cheers from the crowd. Each group showcased its strength and cultural identity as they awaited news of the first catch.
Earlier in the day, Neenyi Ghartey VII and his chiefs embarked on a majestic procession through the streets of Winneba township to the durbar grounds, where an animated and expectant crowd waited to welcome them with cheers and ululations.
Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang was among the distinguished personalities who graced the event, and her presence turned the festival into a major platform for governance conversations alongside culture. She was accompanied by Mrs. Betty Mould Iddrisu, former Minister of Justice and Attorney General; Mr. Alexander Mould, Chief Executive Officer of the Millennium Development Authority; other Ministers of State; and members of the Council of State. The entire delegation was spotted dancing enthusiastically to various traditional tunes, much to the delight of the crowd.
The Central Regional Minister, Mr. Ekow Panyin Okyere Eduamoah, and a delegation from the Winneba-Charlottesville Sister City relationship were also present.
Speaking at the festival, Vice President Opoku-Agyemang assured the people of Winneba of massive infrastructure development, reaffirming the government's commitment to bridging developmental gaps through targeted investments.
"We are not just celebrating our rich heritage today; we are laying the foundation for a brighter future," she said.
"We have heard the concerns of traditional authorities, from roads, telecommunications, and water systems to schools, health facilities, and market centres. The government is working to transform infrastructure in Winneba, as in other cities across the country, to create jobs, boost trade and tourism, and empower citizens to thrive," she added.
The Vice President also spoke about the government's plans to establish a Women's Development Bank to expand women's access to finance and support entrepreneurship. She explained that the initiative would reduce credit barriers, help grow small businesses, create jobs, and advance gender equality in a meaningful way.
On the 24-Hour Economy policy, she said the initiative is designed to increase productivity and expand economic activity by encouraging shift-based operations across sectors, which she said would provide more entry-level jobs and flexible work opportunities while supporting business growth.
Neenyi Ghartey VII, for his part, commended the government for maintaining peace and stability, which he described as essential for economic growth and investment in the region. He specifically praised the progress made on the Winneba-Kasoa Road project, saying its completion would reduce travel time, boost trade, improve safety, and unlock jobs and market access for the area.
He further urged the government to speed up upgrades to educational infrastructure, including modern classrooms, to better prepare Effutu's children to compete on the global stage.
Security was tight throughout the celebrations, with police and military personnel patrolling key areas. Barricades and checkpoints were mounted along festival routes, ensuring the safety of the thousands who attended. The heavy security presence, informed by crowd-control concerns from previous years, helped preserve the peaceful and joyful atmosphere of the event.
Vendors made brisk business from the large turnout, selling souvenirs, traditional clothing, kente cloths, crafts, and local dishes including waakye, turning the grounds into a lively and vibrant marketplace.
