By Victoria Agyemang
Concerned Nkusukum Youth and Citizens for Development (NCYCD) in the Mfantseman Municipality have descended on Chief to demand that the Odambea festival be restored to its original date.
The protection came after a petition was submitted to the chiefs challenging their recent decision to move their festival from August to October.
To them, the decision would disrupt their cultural and historical heritage, hence the need for the chiefs to reconsider.
Odambea, which has been celebrated over the past 48 years in August, aligns with their traditional agricultural cycle and community activities. Therefore, moving to October severs the historical connections, diminishing the fest’s cultural significance.
After the protest through the principal streets of Saltpond, Mr Ernest De-Graft Egyir, Leader of the NCYCD, challenged the chiefs’ decision and asked them to open a dialogue with the youth for resolution. Otherwise, they would not accept the proposed date for the fest.
According to him, the reason was its overlap with the festival of Abeadze -Dominase traditional area, which was unaccounted for since both traditional areas had celebrated it over the years without disruptions.
He called for including the youth in decision-making, which risks creating a generational division that could weaken the community’s unity.
Mr De-Graft Egyir called on the chiefs to restore their festival to its original date and proposed enhanced community consultation, better understanding strategies and greater youth engagement to restore the festival’s success and cultural relevance.
He appealed to the chiefs to consider their voices. The Odambea festival was a cornerstone of their identity, and moving it would disrupt their connection and risk eroding a vital part of their heritage.
For his part, Professor Ransford Yaw Gyampo, a concerned citizen, noted that the Chief’s decision was an ‘excuse’ and that they would not accept the change of the Odambea festival.
He noted their tradition could not be forsaken to please anyone’s selfish gain or interest.
