King Paluta, Bongofari rock Ngmayem 2024

This year’s Ngmayem Festival of the chiefs and people of the Manya Krobo Traditional Area was a thrilling affair as Krobos from far and near  trooped home to participate in  the 131st edition of their cherished,  well-known festival.

Various shades of traditional music bolstered the celebration but contemporary artists, King Paluta and Bongofari, were also on hand to add more sparkle as families and friends came together to observe time-honoured obligations and also have fun. 

King Paluta is well-known for hits like Makoma, Aseda, Odo Bi Ye Bad, Sika Aba Fie, More Money and Aha Akye. He was in fine form as he performed on Thursday, October 24 at the foot of the Krobo Mountain. He got everyone singing and dancing along to his music. 

A wide variety of activities including health walks, clean up exercises, health screenings, educational forums, canoe racing, football gala, family bazaars and church services were held as part of this year’s Ngmayem Festival. 

Bongofari had his turn to thrill festivalgoers at the Forecourt of Konor’s Palace on Saturday, October 26 at a show dubbed Krobo Heritage Concert which had Queen Asabia and her brother KenteMan also on the bill.

 Backed by the GIHOC International Band, Bongofari brought on his brand of music which he calls Odo Reggae. His style is love lyrics rendered in Twi with bits  of English and French, all flavoured  with some Highlife, Reggae and traditional rhythms. 

Bongofari has performed at high-profile shows across the country and was honoured at the Ghana Reggae Dancehall Awards (GRDA) in September 2023 for his ‘outstanding contributions to Reggae and Dancehall and to the music industry in Ghana today.’

“We had a lot of fun at Ngmayem 2024. The people were friendly and I loved how they came together to celebrate the festival,” Bongofari said. “It showed how they treasure their traditions and the zeal to ride on it to bring more development to their traditional area. The main festival organiser,  Nene Domesiako, did a wonderful job. Thumbs up to him,”

Theme for Ngmayem 2024, held from October 19 to October 27, was ‘Homecoming: Let’s Come Back Home and Build (Wa Maa Ya Dom).’ It was held under the leadership of His Royal Majesty Nene Sakite II, Konor of Manya Krobo and President of the Eastern Region House of Chiefs.