Second edition of ‘Homofest’ launched

The second edition of the Homogenous Festival has been launched with a call on traditional authorities to foster unity for the development of the country.
Christened ‘Homofest’, the festival marks the climax of the celebration of the four main annual festivals of the Greater Accra Region.

The festivals are: Homowo, celebrated by the people of Accra; Kpledjoo, by the people of Tema; Ngmayem by the people of Dodowa and Asafotufiam by the Adas.

This year’s event which has the theme: ‘Unity and Development’ is to accelerate socio-economic and environmental development in the Greater Accra Region and the rest of the country.

Besides, it is also to promote unity, social cohesion and peaceful coexistence among the traditional authorities in the region.
Homofest 2015

Homofest 2015 is slated for October 2 and expected to bring together traditional leaders, the Ga-Dangbe people, as well as political leaders and tourists.

Activities planned for the event include: Clean-up exercises in all the 16 assemblies in the region, a colloquium, exhibition and food bazaar, and a durbar to climax the celebration on October 10, 2015.
Unity is essential

Launching the festival, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Mrs Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, stated that the maiden edition of the festival paved way for the traditional leaders to demonstrate their rich culture and tradition to Ghanaians and the world.

She said the festival was also to recognise the Ga-Dangbes to provide land and other national resources for national projects.

Mrs Adjare also said that the reverence given to traditional leaders must be maintained in order to develop the traditions, customs and folklore of the country.

The minister gave an assurance that the ministry would promote Homofest as one of its flagship attractions to influence the travel decisions of visitors to Ghana, especially during the last quarter of the year.

In his address, the Deputy Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Nii Lante Vanderpuye, said he was optimistic that the celebration would enable the youth to imbibe good traditional practices.

He called for a change towards the Ga-Dangbe culture, adding that most of the cultural practices, which had been adulterated, must be revived.
Educate the youth

The President of the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs, who is also the Paramount Chief of the Ada Traditional Area, Nene Abrah Kabu Akuoku III, who chaired the function, said the celebration was an opportunity to showcase the customs and culture of the Ga-Dangbes.

Nene Akuoku III observed that the various festivals celebrated by the Ga-Dangbes had significant meaning and urged the traditional leaders to educate the youth on their traditions.