This year's Akuapem Odwira Festival to come off Oct 15

This year’s Odwira Festival of the chiefs and people of Akuapem is expected to come off on October 15.

The announcement followed the pouring of libation today (September 10) at the forecourt of the Akuapehene’s palace at Akropong by Nana Kwame Afari Bampo II, Banmuhene to ban certain activities such as noise-making, and funerals for 40 days throughout Akuapem.

The ceremony which ends the Adaebutu rites to pave way for the Odwira was attended by the Akuapem Banmuhemaa, Nana Otwiwaa Anima Afari, the spokesperson for the Banmuhene, Ohenenana B. S. Opoku, Odehye Frempong Ohene Akuffo and other elders of Akuapem.

According to Nana Afari Bampo, although the Akuapem Queenmother, Nana Afua Obuo Nketia was not in favour of him performing the rites, he had done it in line with Akuapem because by tradition, since 1733 such a rite was always done by the Banmuhene.

Omanhene’s death

Throwing light on the issue, he said the demise of the Okuapehene, Oseadeoyo Addo Dankwa II about three years ago led to a chieftancy crisis which was being handled at the Regional House of Chiefs.

Purely traditional

Nana Afari Bampo explained that since Adaebutu did not involve the installation of a successor to the late Omanhene but purely a traditional
rite to commence the Odwira, the leading traditional leaders in the area, the Krontihene, Nana Kwasi Offei and the Acting President of the Akuapem Traditional Council, Otuobour Djan Kwasi had given their blessing.

The head of National Security, Mr. Albert Kan Dapaah, the Banmuhene stated had also backed the idea and showed a letter to that effect.

He further explained that because there was currently no Omanhehe, the divisional and sub divisional chiefs and their subordinates would have to perform the Odwira rites in their respective areas before assembling at the durbar grounds for the event.

Activities

Ohenenana B. S. Opoku said a number of activities such as path clearing, bathing of the black stool and wailing to remember their ancestors would be performed on specific days to be announced later.

He therefore called on the people of Akuapem and Ghana in general for support to make the event a memorable one.