Awubia Festival will go ahead as planned – Odupong Ofaakor traditional leaders

The annual Awutu Awubia Festival in Odupong Ofaakor, part of the Awutu Senya East Municipality in the Central Region, is set to proceed as scheduled despite a directive from the Awutu Bereku Traditional Council. The council had instructed that the event should not take place, citing the recent death of its president, Nai Agyemang Wettey Ottabir II.

However, traditional leaders from Odupong, including Ofaakor, Kasoa, and neighboring communities, are resolute in their plans to celebrate the festival. They argue that significant preparations have already been made and that certain customary rites are crucial for preserving the community's spirit, identity, and cultural heritage.

The Odupong Ofaakor traditional leaders also question the Awutu Bereku Council's authority to halt the celebration, labeling the directive as "arbitrary, capricious, and illegal." With only seven days remaining until the festival, the Odupong Ofaakor leaders insist that the event will proceed as planned, and they have notified relevant security agencies to ensure safety.

The conflict arises amidst tensions in the region following the deaths of two council presidents, Nai Agyemang Wettey Ottabir II and Nai Awushie Tetteh. Reports also suggest that the remains of the late chief were hidden, leading to arrests by the Police Homicide Unit. These differing viewpoints over the Awubia Festival have raised concerns about potential unrest if the parties cannot resolve their differences before the celebration.