Saltpond –Bakado Ayerye Festival slated for November 30

Saltpond, a small coastal town in the Central Region of Ghana is to celebrate the first ever Saltpond- Bakado Ayerye Festival after 35years since it was last celebrated.

Saltpond-Bakado (Akyenfo-Bakado) is the Twafo Division of Nkusukum Tradional area in the Central Region of Ghana and located at a tropical, small coastal town situated about 125 kilometers west of Accra, in Ghana, West Africa.

In view of this, the Chiefs and Elders of TWAFO DIVISIONAL COUNCIL (Akyenfo-Bakado) of Nkusukum Traditional Area, under the able leadership of Nana Gyan Ankwanda VI, the Akyenfo-Bakadohen and Twafohen of Nkusukum Traditional Council, both in the Central Region decided to revive the celebration of the 'AYERYE' festival - beginning this year, from Wednesday, 30th November, 2011 to Sunday, 4th of December, 2011.

Saltpond is the District Capital of Mfantseman West Municipal of Central Region of Ghana. According to history, the country’s first political parties, the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC) and Convention Peoples Party (CPP) were formed and the first place where the country’s first president Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah started his political career.

'AYERYE' festival therefore is basically an annual festival of beating of traditional drums with singing of Asafo songs (by the Asafo Groups) and firing of musketry to notify, ward off and also tell enemies of the state and trouble makers to know that there are strong and vigilant men in Saltpond-Bakado (Akyenfo-Bakado) - who are present or available to fight and defeat any enemy or intruder who has any intention to invade the area.

The festival is expected to draw in people from all walks of life especially His Excellency the Ex- President, John Agyekum Kufuor, His Excelency John Mahama, Dr. Papa Kewsi Nduom amongst other special quest of honours.

History however has it that there were a lot of fighting and wars among the forefathers in the olden days which in due time ended.

The essence of the festival is to remind the citizenry of Saltpond-Bakado that the community or state is safe from wicked invaders or intruders or trouble makers and the need for the people to be vigilant.

It is also to bring some vibrancy to the community since there are a lot of people, services and activities that take place during the occasion.

Many of the citizenry who live outside Saltpond are expected come in their numbers to celebrate the festival with the aim of bringing unity among the community.

Objectives of the Ayerye festival are to bring all the citizens and well-wishers of Saltpond-Bakado all over the world together and to promote and highlight all the good things about Saltpond.

Activities lined up for the celebration include the beating of traditional drums which forms an integral part of the cultural heritage of the people. The beating of drums is to communicate to the citizenry on issues of interest to the community and also to enable the youth to learn the rich cultural heritage of Saltpond.

Other activities include Ayerye School Quiz, Masqueraders parade and a durbar of chiefs amongst others. The occasion will also be used to raise funds to develop Saltpond-Bakado to attract more people to the area. http://www.ameyawdebrah.com/