Akufo-Addo Storms Ada for 81st Asafotu Fiami Festival

All is now set for the for the 81st annual Asafotu Fiami festival of the chiefs and people of Ada Traditional Area.

THE PUBLISHER can confirm, from deep-throat sources within the festival planning committee, and from the District Chief Executive, Hon. Sarah Dugbakie Pobee, that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is the Guest of Honour for tomorrow’s grand durbar, which will be under the auspices of Djetsɛ Abram Kabu Akuaku III, President of the Ada Traditional Council.

The festival, which is one of the biggest festivals in Ghana and in its 81st year, also coincides with the 40th year of Djetsɛ Akuaku’s reign on the Ada paramount stool.

Activities such as float, homecoming/bonfire night, a beauty pageant and a grand durbar will all feature as part of the anniversary, which is usually patronised by over 3 million people from all walks of life.

It is a rich cultural heritage celebrated annually in remembrance of the invaluable achievements of the founding fathers and ancestors, especially in the many wars of survival and development of the Ada Okor State before their settlement in their current abode.

Apart from the durbar, there will be amazing performances from some top artistes in Ghana to climax the week-long celebration.

Tourists from all walks of life – home and abroad – grace the occasion and join the people of Ada every year to celebrate the showcase of rich culture and traditions in grand style.

This year’s celebration is under the theme: ‘Local Resource Mobilisation for the Growth and Development of the Ada Traditional Area’.

The name of the festival Asafotu fiami, simply means company/divisional firing of musketry. Thus, Asafotu fiami is essentially a war festival that commemorates the heroic achievements of the ancestors, some of whom bravely spilt their blood to save the Ada Okor State from being overrun and destroyed by the various enemies of those days.

The main activity had been firing of musketry by the various divisions/companies/clans led by their respective Asafoatseme (War Captains) in line with their traditional military organisation. This ceremony was embraced and christened ‘Asafotu Fiami Festival’, meaning divisional musketry firing festival and has since been celebrated annually in commemoration of the wars fought, the fallen warriors and the survivors.

By: Daniel Akpaloo Nyorngmor, Big-Ada