The Chiefs, Queen mothers and People of Gomoa Assin Traditional Area in Gomoa West District will this year celebrate the Ahobaakese festival to showcase their rich culture and customs for development.
Under the theme: “Celebrating the heroism of Egya Ahor: uniting people of Gomoa for development,” the festival will commence on Friday, August 15 and will be climaxed on Saturday, August 30, 2025, with a grand durbar at Gomoa Assin.
President John Dramani Mahama is expected to grace the durbar as the Guest Speaker, with the President of the Central Regional House of Chiefs, Odeefur Amoakwa Baadu Vll also in attendance.
Nana Odziasempa Yaw Tawiah Amponsah III, Odikro of Gomoa Kumasi and Secretary to the Ahobaakese Planning Committee, told the Ghana News Agency in an interview that 165 of the 214 Gomoa communities were under the jurisdiction of Obirifo Ahor Ankobia Il.
The communities have been grouped under seven statutory divisions.
He stated that Ahobaakese was celebrated in honour of a man called Osofo Egya Ahor who in 1334, dedicated himself to be sacrificed for rituals and traditional rites to avert a pandemic which was killing many people every day from every household in Gomoa land.
‘This dedication, selflessness and sacrifice of Egya Ahor is what we stand for as a people, hence the celebration.”
“I am therefore calling on all sons and daughters of Gomoa Assin, both home and abroad to participate fully in all the activities earmarked for the celebration.”
Tourists should also visit Gomoa Odumasi, formerly called Gomoa Akrodo, to partake in the festival.
Activities lined up include a clean-up exercise in the various communities on Saturday, August 16, an interdenominational church service on Monday, August 18, a visit to historical sites and Crown forest at Gomoa Nsuem to see the chains which was used to tie slaves.
On Friday, August 22, which is the black Friday, Nanaanom and the entire citizens will dress in black to mourn Egya Ahor, and later slaughter spotless bull to symbolise his sacrifice and death.
There will also be a public lecture on the history of Gomoa and topical national issues.
“We are seizing this opportunity to admonish sons and daughters of Gomoa, especially communities that fall directly under the jurisdiction of Obirifo Ahor Ankobia ll who feel the festival is a threat to the development of the individual communities to eschew such perception,” he said.
He added that it was about time the festival became a wake up call to draw attention of government and other institutions of the challenges facing the people and to help address them.
“Let us remember that we have only one Gomoa and to consider the vast lands that we have, to look at the opportunities around our human resource which are underutilised and look for solutions to better their lots,” he stated.