IShowSpeed visit puts Okere district on global tourism map
THE now viral IShowSpeed waterfall visit in Ghana has put Asenema and Okere District on the global tourism map with its waterfall that bares the town’s name.
The Okere District with Adukrom being its capital was carved out of Akuapem North in the Eastern Region, creating its own municipality in 2018. It is made up of seven towns namely Abiriw, Dawu, Awukugua, Adukrom, Apirede, Aseseeso and Abonse.
When you journey north of the Akuapem mountains past Akropong is where you will find this district of Guans (known to be the indigenous people of modern day Ghana) who speak their own language known as Kreypong/Okere.
The Okere District boasts of great tourism for those who want to explore Ghana’s spirituality, fresh air, small town relaxation vibes and greenery.
These attractions include the birth home of Okomfo Anokye and a spiritual rock formation in the shape of an umbrella in Awukugua (Anokye Krom), along with two waterfalls (Asenema and Akaa), and the luxury resort Safari Valley- nestled between Adukrom and Asenema.
It is also where you will find one of the only former slave markets in Ghana’s hinterland historical town of Abonse.
Though born in New York, I moved back to my hometown of Awukugua where I lived my first few years of life with my grandparents.
The decision was to help me cultivate the Ghanaian culture and language in my formidable years instead of being in American day-care.
After returning to New York at the age of five and attending prestigious schools like Pomfret School and New York University, I returned to Ghana in 2016 as a tourist entrepreneur and Publicist in fashion and entertainment.
Seeing the Year of Return and Beyond the Return focus in Accra and tourism limited to parties, music festivals and Ghana’s Slave history, Brand Okere was established.
It focused on Eco- Friendly, Green, Wellness and Relaxation Tourism that would highlight the district of Okere as its own tourism brand was launched.
Okere is mainly an agricultural district where tourists can go on farm tours, hike mountains, explore known and secret waterfalls, tap into traditional spirituality and holistic medicine, get freshly tapped palm wine and tour cocoa farms with fresh water rivers that run through them.
Brand Okere, as a member of the host committee in association with the Chiefs and People of Awukugua will be hosting the Anokye Festival, scheduled to take place from April 27 to May 3, 2026, in Awukugua..
Awukugua is the historic hometown of the great traditional priest Okomfo Anokye, a revered figure in Ghanaian history and culture celebrated for his wisdom and magical feats, such as his role in forming the Ashanti Kingdom by conjuring the Golden Stool (Sika Dwa Kofi).
The Anokye Festival is a significant cultural event that seeks to honour our rich heritage, ancestral traditions, and spiritual values, while also promoting cultural exchange and unity among people of diverse backgrounds, symbolic of Okomfo Anokye being known as the Great Unifier.
The Anokye Festival experience will offer various cultural and traditional activities, including:
A grand traditional durbar of chiefs, traditional cleansing and purification rites, guided visits to important historical and tourist sites in and around Awukugua, cultural performances showcasing Ghanaian music, dance, and customs, an film and art workshops for children and much more.
Being proud Okeresonians from the Diaspora, myself and cousin - Ghanaian born/US based Multi-Platinum music producer, Eric “Coptic” Matlock, known for producing hits like “I Need A Girl (featuring P. Diddy, Usher / Loon and Mario Winans and other platinum hits for popular US rap artistes like Notorious BIG, are using our expertise and connections with the Diaspora to push tourism and investment opportunities in the Okere District
Other notable historical facts about the Okere District
The town of Abonse in Okere district has been in existence for over 700 years and considered one of the oldest towns in Ghana and Akuapem. History has it that, it came into existence in 1330 with its first leader, Nana Anobi, and was established 50 years before the formation of the Akuapem state.
Although Okere became its own district in 2018 with indigenes being bilinguals- speak both Akuapen Twi and the Guan language of Kyrepong, Akuapem is considered the traditional state with Okere being a traditional division (paramountcy) within Akuapem.
The writer is the founder of Global Fusion Productions and Culture Curators.
