Ahanta Cultural Festival returns to Busua with a sea of colour

A festival rooted in memory

From the first beats of the fontomfrom at dawn to the late-night procession of the Asafo companies, this year's Ahanta Cultural Festival was a reminder of why the coast remembers.

Chief Nana Kwaku Acquah, who opened the weekend, said the festival is "more than a celebration — it is a school for the young to understand where we come from."

What's new this year

• A children's kente weaving corner attracted more than 80 pupils from Dixcove and Busua basic schools.
• The maiden Ahanta language spelling bee crowned 11-year- old Akua Mensah as the inaugural champion.
• Local restaurants ran a taste of Ahanta tour featuring smoked tuna, kontomire stew and palm-wine cocktails.

"We want the festival to feel like a homecoming for every > child of the Ahanta, wherever they are now," said co-> organiser Esi Bonsu.

The closing fireworks lit the bay just past 10pm. Planning for next year's edition begins in September.