Every now and then concerns are raised on the need to project our culture and heritage as Ghanaians. Like the popular saying goes, “tradition goes on”, we need to preserve our culture and ensure that Ghanaian traditions do not die out.
Festivals are special occasions marked by the different ethnic groups in various parts of the country.
In Ghana, from January to December of each year, a number of festivals are celebrated. There are varying reasons why the various ethnic groups celebrate their respective festivals.
Bugum Festival is celebrated in Dagbon, Gonja, Mamprusi and Nanumba in the Northern Region.
Edina Buronya Festival is celebrated in the Central Region by the people of Elmina (Edina).
The people of Akpafu in the Volta Region also celebrate the Rice Festival.
In the Upper East Region, Kpini-Kyiu and Tenghana Festivals, are associated to the people of Wa and Tongu.
Danso Abaim and Ntoa Fukokuese Festivals are marked by the people of Techimentia and Nkoranza, in the Brong Ahafo Region.
Lastly, the people of Akwamu, in the Eastern Region celebrate Apafram Festival.
Papa Festival and Dzawuwu Festivals are the two festivals celebrated in the month of February by the people of Kumawu (Ashanti Region) and Dabala (Volta Region) respectively.
Festivals marked in the month of March include; Damba Festival (celebrated in the towns of Dagbon, Gonja land, Mamprusi land and Nanumba land), Ngmayem Festival (marked in the Eastern Region by the people of Manya and Yilo Krobo) and Asikloe Festival (observed by the people of Anfoega, in the Volta Region).
Also, Volo Festival and Lekoyi Festival are marked in the Eastern and Volta Regions by the people of Akuse and Likpe respectively.
The Talensis of Tong-Zug and the people of Prampram (Greater Accra Region) celebrate Gologo Festival and Lalue Kpledo Festivals respectively.
Kotokyikyi and Ogyapa Festivals are observed by the people of Senya Bereku, in the Central Region while Kurubie Festival is celebrated by the people of Namase, in the Brong Ahafo Region.
Bugum, Serpeemi, Wodomi as well as Dipo Festivals are marked by the people of Krobo in the Eastern Region.
Aboakyir (Deer Hunt) Festival is observed by the people of Winneba in the Central Region. The people of Sonyo Kipo, in the Northern Region celebrate the Beng Festival.
Osudoku Festival, Donkyi Festival and Don Festivals are celebrated by the people of Asutsuare (Eastern Region), Namase (Brong Ahafo Region) and the people of Bolgatanga (Upper East Region) respectively.
Festivals marked in June include; Asafua Festival (Central Region by the people of Sekondi), Ahumkan Festival (Eastern Region by the people of Akim-Kibi), Gyenprem Festival (Volta Region by the people of Fafo) and Ahobaa Festival (Central Region by the people of Enyan-Kakraba, Saltpond).
Others are; Kete and Ebisa Festivals (Central Region by the people of Sekondi), Kli-Adzim Festival (Eastern Region by the people of Agbozume), Ahoba Kuma Festival (Central Region by the people of Abura), Apiba Festival (Central Region by the people of Senya Bereku) and Nkyidwo also known as “Monday Night” by the people of Essumeja in the Ashanti Region.
July festivals include; Bakatue Festival, by the people of Elmina in the Central Region. Bombei and Ekyen Kofie Festivals (Yam Festival) are both celebrated in the Western Region by the people of Sekondi.
In the Central Region, the people of Enyam-Maim celebrate the Kuntum Festival (Yam Festival) while Wodomi Festival is celebrated by the people of Manya Krobo, in the Eastern Region.
There are a number of festivals celebrated in the month of August. Asafotu-Fiam Festival is celebrated by the people of Ada, in the Greater Accra Region.
The Equadoto and Ahoba Kese Festivals are celebrated in the Central Region by the people of Ayeldu and Abura respectively.
Odambea festival is marked among the Nkusukum chiefs and people of the Saltpond Traditional Area whilst Edim Kese Festival is observed by the people of Sekondi, in the Western Region.
In the Greater Accra Region, Western and Central Regions of Ghana, Homowo Festival (by the Gas), Apatwa Festival (by the Dixcove) and the Awubia Festival (by the Awutus) are observed.
The Ahantas and Nzemas celebrate Kundum Festival whilst Afenorto Festival is marked by the people of Mepe, in the Volta Region.
Fetu Afahye, Nkronu and Sometutuza Festivals are some festivals celebrated in September annually. They are celebrated by the people of Fetu, (Cape Coast), Shama/Beposo (Western Region) and the people of Agbozume, in the Volta Region respectively.
Within September, Akwambo and Ayerye Festivals are both observed by the people of Enyam-Maim in the Central Region. Kobine Festival in the Upper West Region is celebrated by the people of Dagaaba and the Akyempem Festival is observed by the people of Agona, in the Ashanti Region.
Currently, the noted festival in the month of October is Ohumkyire Festival. It is celebrated by the people of Kibi in the Eastern Region.
The inhabitants of Paga, Upper East Region, are noted for Fao Festival while the people of Wli Traditional Area, in the Volta Region are noted for Agumatsa Waterfalls Festival. Hogbetsotso Festival by the “Anlos” in the Volta Region is also observed in November.
In the Brong Ahafo Region, Kwafie Festival is celebrated by the people of Dormaa Ahenkro, Berekum and Nsuatre. The Apoo Festival is celebrated by the people of Techiman and Wenchi whilst Sasabobirim Festival is celebrated by the people of Awuah Domase in the Brong Ahafo Region.
Annually, in December, Fiok Festival by the people of Sandema, in the Upper East Region is celebrated. Adae and Akwasidae Festivals are marked by the people of Ashanti Region.
There are cultural, economic, social, religious, and political benefits, among other benefits that are derived from the celebration of festivals in Ghana.
The rich cultural heritage of the people is usually manifested during festivals. Also, development projects are initiated and financial contributions towards them are made.
Festivals offer the chance for families, friends and loved ones to reconcile with each other and get united. Festivals strengthen the culture and beliefs of the society, to mention but a few.
“Festivals are fun for kids, fun for parents and offer a welcome break from the stress of life. The sheer quantities of people make life easier: loads of adults for the adults to talk to and loads of kids for the kids to play with”- Tom Hodgkinson.