BAYA leadership inaugurates 2026 national congress with call for unity, shared heritage

The Bassare Youth Association (BAYA) has officially begun preparations for the 2026 National Congress, calling upon Bassare youth and stakeholders to unite around their shared heritage, culture and common goals to foster community development. Scheduled to take place from September 18 to 21 in Kpandai, the four-day congress aims to gather thousands of Bassares from across Ghana and neighboring Togo and Nigeria.

With the theme "One People, One Heritage, One Culture," the congress will serve as a platform for members to reconnect with their roots, strengthen relationships, promote cultural preservation, and discuss issues impacting the socio-economic well-being of the Bassare people. Greater Accra Regional BAYA Branch Chairman Seth Nyantakyi Baalah urged Bassare youth nationwide to actively participate in the event, emphasizing that the congress belongs to the entire Bassare community.

Mr Baalah encouraged attendees to contribute meaningfully to discussions and activities aimed at fostering unity, preserving cultural heritage, and promoting the development of their communities. Speaking to the media, he highlighted the importance of understanding one's heritage in today's globalized world, where technology and changing lifestyles can easily dilute cultural identity.

BAYA National Secretary Toni J.C. Bakawu noted during the launch that knowing one's heritage is crucial to preserving cultural identity, particularly as globalization, technology, and shifting lifestyles increasingly influence younger generations. He discussed the congress program, which combines youth engagement, cultural education, entertainment, and community interaction.

The program will kick off with participants' arrival and continue throughout the event, offering opportunities for interaction, experience sharing, and deepening appreciation of Bassare culture.

Activities include a football gala featuring teams from various Bassare communities, musical performances by Bassare artists, and traditional cultural displays such as the fire dance, cutlass display by young men, and Googo dance. Mr Bakawu revealed that traditional performances, including the Googo dance, would be part of a cultural procession to escort Bassare paramount chiefs from their residences to the durbar grounds.