Photos: Manya Krobo Ngmayem Festival turns 133

The Manya Krobo Ngmayem Festival, a cherished cultural event, marks its 133rd edition this year. The festivities were inaugurated on August 27, 2026, with a vibrant ceremony at the Konor’s Palace in Odumase-Krobo. The celebration, originally called the Hieyemi festival in 1893 by Sir Emmanuel Mate-Kole, was renamed Ngmayem in 1944 by Oklemekuku Azzu Mate-Kole.

Today, it has blossomed into a week-long celebration that draws locals and tourists from across Ghana and beyond. The name Ngmayem, derived from the Krobo language, translates to "Eating of Millet or Eating of Food." This festival commemorates bountiful harvests and embodies the Krobo people's agricultural heritage. It also signifies the onset of a new year on their calendar and serves as a gathering for kinship and cultural reconnection.

Current Konor of Manya Krobo, Nene Sakite II, lauded the festival's growth over the years, emphasizing its role in preserving and promoting Krobo history and identity. The Mock Durbar, where young students portray chiefs, queen mothers, and elders, has been particularly praised as an effective tool for cultural education. Eastern Regional Minister, Rita Akosua Awatey, highlighted Ngmayem's longevity and widespread appeal, stating that few festivals in Ghana can match its grandeur and enduring popularity.

The Eastern Regional Minister emphasized the importance of unity and collaboration in nurturing communities like Manya Krobo. The Deputy Chief Executive of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Gilbert Abeiku Aggrey, pledged the Authority's support in transforming Ngmayem into an immersive showcase of Manya Krobo's rich history, culinary delights, landscapes, traditional arts, and famed hospitality.