Friday, 24 July

Teshie Mantse announces a ‘New Level’ Homowo 2026

Culture
Teshie Mantse Chief Gbetsoolo Nii Ashitey Akomfra lll on his throne

The Teshie Mantse Chief Gbetsoolo Nii Ashitey Akomfra lll has announced plans to take this year’s Teshie Homowo Festival “to a new level,” backed by parliamentary recognition, government support, and enhanced security measures.

In a message to the media, the Teshie Mantse reflected on last year’s festival, noting that despite pledges of peace from the Military, Police, clergy, MP, and other stakeholders, the involvement of new officials without adequate ground knowledge “compromised the security architecture leading to the unfortunate loss of life and property”.

“However, all is not lost and I wish to reassure all Teshimei and every Homowo fan that we are taking Homowo to a new level this year,” he stated.

For the first time in Ghana’s history, Parliament has acknowledged the cultural and economic values of the Teshie Homowo Festival. 

The Minister for Tourism, Creative Arts and Culture, Abla Gyifa Gomashie, has also pledged to collaborate with the Teshie traditional authorities, Ledzokuku Municipal Assembly and community stakeholders to improve the visibility and organization of the festival.

“Towards this end, government has put adequate measures in place to ensure the safety and security of all persons who will participate in Homowo 2026,” the Mantse added.

The Teshie Mantse outlined the dates for this year’s festivities:

- Gbemilaa Ceremony: Monday, August 10, 2026

- Sprinkling of Kpokpoi: Tuesday, August 25, 2026 

- Annual Football Harvest: Saturday, August 29, 2026

- Kpaishimo Flags and Group: Sunday, August 30, 2026

- Tsesebumo Street Carnival: Saturday, September 5, 2026

He also expressed appreciation to the Church of Pentecost for giving a facelift to the Hall of the Teshie Traditional Council, specifically naming Apostle Wilberforce Nkrumah Agyeman, Dr. Dela Quampah, Pastor E. K. Appiah, Pastor Martin Owusu, Pastor Francis Achia, and Elder Benjamin Akporh Mensah.

The Mantse also reminded the public that August 7, 2026 marks the bicentenary anniversary of the Katamanso War. 

He paid tribute to two courageous warriors from Teshie, Antreh and Afutu Dzani whose clarion call 200 years ago helped secure victory for the allied GaDangme forces against the 40,000-strong Asante Army at Dodowa.

“I wish to make a passionate appeal to all Teshimei to honour the memories of these heroes by smoking the peace pipe so that, together, we can celebrate a very peaceful Homowo 2026,” he concluded.

Source: classfmonline.com/Edem Baldwin Afanou