Ada Gear Up For Asafotu Fiam Festival

People Of Ada Gear Up For The Celebration Of 75TH Anniversary Of Asafotu Fiam Festival.

Barely two weeks to the start of the annual Asafotu Fiam festival, the people of Ada Traditional Area have already started serious preparations towards the celebration of their premier yearly event which is rated as one of the best in this country.

The 8–day surprised packed festival is celebrated starting from the first Thursday in every month of August annually with the 2012 edition scheduled for the 2nd to 9th August with series of “Crème de la crème” of activities.

This year’s event is the 75th anniversary in the history of celebration of the festival by the people of Ada and as such various activities have been lined up to commemorate the event which is expected to attract over 20,000 celebrants of indigenes, people from the diaspora and tourists.

The annual Ada Asafotu Fiam festival also offers a multipurpose festival destination for leisure, showcase of rich Ada culture and tradition as well as opening of business opportunities.

The theme for this year festival is “DEVELOPMENT OF OUR SOCIETY THROUGH CULTURE” and the President of the republic of Ghana His Excellency John Evans Atta Mills is expected to grace the occasion as Special Guest of Honour.

This year’s festival will also be used to showcase some tourist potentials in the district including the Ada Sorngor Salt Lagoon which is the biggest salt producing lagoon in Ghana, the Obonukopey Community Zoo, the Ada Foah Azizanyah Estuary, the Pediatorkopey Islands, the Sea Defence sites, the Sea turtle breeding grounds along the Ada coast, the Sacred Okor and Aplanaye Forests, Forts and Prisons at Ada Foah, Ada Foah Beautiful Chalets , the Volta Lake, Stool and traditional regalia and many other tourist destinations within the district.

The festival which was launched some few weeks ago at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel in Accra, begins on Thursday 2nd August with traditional customary rites and beating of war drums to usher in the 2012 festive season.

Other highlights of various activities to commemorate this year’s festival include traditional rites at the sacred “Aplenaye forest, Luhuese and firing of musketry and customary rites at “Kpomkpo-panya” on Friday August 3rd.

Saturday 4th August is the d-day as the renowned Grand Durbar of chiefs and people comes to the fore at Big Ada Presby park during the day precedes the crowning of Miss Asafotu at night.

The festivities get into full gear on Sunday 5th August with a Church and thanksgiving service at the Presby Park in the morning. There will also be a cruise for fun-seekers on the Volta Lake in the afternoon before the famous Tigo Festival Train which will be shown live on TV3 airs at night.

Canoe regatta and Beach party activities will take place on Monday before the annual football match and sporting activities on Tuesday 7th August.

Wednesday 8th August is a special day for Get-together party for old citizens whilst Thursday August 9 is time for family meetings and eventually bid of farewell to the 2012 edition of Asafotu Fiam.

In a special pre – Asafotu Fiam message, the Paramount Chief of the Ada Traditional Area, Nene Abraham Kabu Akuaku (III) has called on all sons, daughters and indigenes of Ada to come and witness this year’s festival to help plan towards the development of the community. He has also called on all who will be coming to the festival not to indulge themselves in any criminal activities during the festive period and promised strict measures for all miscreants.

The Paramount chief who is also the President of the Greater Accra House of Chiefs, has also urged all the political parties in the country to carry their 2012 election campaign in a violent-free and fair manner and to avoid the use of abusive and inflammatory language before, during and after the 2012 electioneering period to enhance a peaceful election come December 7.

Rated as one of the best and finest festivals in Ghana and most importantly with this year’s edition coinciding with the 75th anniversary in the history of the premier festival, it promises to be one of the best and memorable in recent memory.

The Paramount Chief, chiefs and people of Ada therefore invites all to join them in making this year’s festival a historical one.