Omanhen of Oguaa launches Fetu Afahye

The Omanhen of Oguaa, Osabarima Kwesi Atta II, on Thursday launched this year’s annual Oguaa Fetu Afahye celebration on the theme: “The Asafo ((Warriors) Companies, the past, the present and the future.”

The week-long festival would be celebrated in the first week of September.

The Omanhen who addressed chiefs, queen mothers and a cross section of the public at his palace, underscored the contribution of Asafo companies in the 18th and 19th centuries which culminated in the nation ‘s independence.

He said this year’s Afahye would serve as reminder to the people of Oguaa of their culture and traditions as well as the importance of the Asafo companies in Oguaaman.

Osabarima Kwesi Atta said everything was being done to develop most of the tourists’ attractions in the area including the beaches, Kakum National Park and the Cape Coast Castle to attract more tourists, since this year’s celebration would coincide with the 20th anniversary of the Pan African Festival popularly called PANAFEST.

Mr. Peter Alex Hope, a lecturer at the University of Cape Coast, threw light on the important roles Asafo companies play in traditional settings, adding that in the past they were the soldiers of the land and acted as advisers of the chiefs when it came to issues of war.

He explained that they were the people who were called to assist when developmental projects were executed, while some of the early churches in the country were built by Asafo groups.

Nana kow Ackon, Chairman of the 2012 Fetu Afahye planning committee urged the people to use the Afahye as a medium to disseminate the history of Oguaa, especially to the youth so that they do not grow up without knowing their customs and traditions.

The Central Regional Minister, Mrs Ama Benyiwa Doe, appealed to people of Oguaa especially the youth, not to use the Fetu Afahye to indulge in unhealthy sexual lifestyles which would increase their chances of contracting the deadly HIV and AIDS.

She said they should also practice family planning to help reduce poverty in the area, adding that lots of children were out of school because their parents could not to take care of their schooling.

Mrs Benyiwa Doe cautioned school children not to boycott classes for the celebration of Afahye.

The Regional Coordinating Council donated GH?2,000.00 to the planning committee in support of the organisation of the Afahye 2012.**