By: Emmanuel Amoah
The Nkusukum Opem Traditional Council, alongside the chiefs, queens, and people of Nkusukum Opem, has officially confirmed the relaunch and homecoming of the Nkusukum Opem Okyir Festival for 2024. This vibrant cultural event will take place from October 15 to October 18, marking a pivotal moment for the community’s heritage and future development.
With the theme “Building the New Opem for Growth and Development,” this year’s festival seeks to highlight the rich cultural traditions, history, and tourism potential of the community while also ushering in a renewed focus on progress and development.
The Okyir Festival, an annual celebration, serves as a tribute to the sacrifices and contributions of the community’s ancestors, acknowledging their role in guiding and protecting their descendants. A key feature of the festival is the sharing of food and resources, a tradition that promotes mutual support and unity among the people.
Typically celebrated in the second week of October, the festival also showcases traditional dishes, symbolizing love, unity, and harmony, and reinforcing the strong bonds within the community.
The event continues to commemorate the illustrious history of the Nkusukum Opem people, who are part of the Borbor Mfantse ethnic group. Their migration and struggles, including fierce battles before settling in their current home, are woven into the fabric of the festival’s storytelling and cultural display.
Notable dignitaries, including
Nana Aprodontwe(Omanhene of Nkusukum Duadze), Nana Owiasa(Effutuakwa Odikro), Nana Ofiri Gyapen(Taabosom Odikro), Nana Nyanful Obrenu(Edumanu Odikro), Hon. Ophelia Mensah Hayford(Member of Parliament for Mfanteman Constituency), Hon. Ebenezer Prince Arhin(NDC Parliamentary Candidate for Mfanteman), Mr. Dodzi Agbenafa(CEO of Agbenoir Gardens South Africa/Ghana and King Africa Radio/TV), among others are special guests to grace the occasion.
The four-day festival will kick off on Thursday, October 15, with a community-wide cleanup exercise in the morning and a women’s football match in the evening. On Friday, October 16, there will be a series of indoor and outdoor games, culminating in the lively White Friday Float. The highlight of the festival, the grand durbar and a street carnival, will take place on Saturday, October 17. Festivities will wrap up on Sunday, October 18, with thanksgiving service, a football gala, and the grand finale of the Miss Opem 2024 pageant.
The 2024 Okyir Festival promises to be an unforgettable celebration of Nkusukum Opem’s past, present, and future.
