Accra: Thousands of young people from Afife and neighboring communities gathered at Afife Park to attend the third edition of the Edem Agbana Carnival, organized in the Ketu North Municipality as part of Christmas festivities.
According to Ghana News Agency, the 2025 end-of-year event was spearheaded by Mr. Eric Edem Agbana, the Member of Parliament for Ketu North, marking three years since its inception. The carnival’s first edition was held in Dzodze, followed by a subsequent event in Penyi.
The carnival showcased an impressive lineup of more than 40 local and national artists, including well-known figures and emerging talents like Edem, Keeny Ice, Agbeshi, JJ Gonami, Jah Phinga, Chief One, and Kpese Boi. These performances energized the crowd throughout the night, turning Afife into a vibrant hub of music, dance, and celebration.
Addressing the audience, Mr. Agbana expressed gratitude to the chiefs, elders, and prominent community members for their ongoing support, which has been instrumental in the carnival’s growth. He paid tribute to the late Kofi Wayo, acknowledging him as the visionary behind the initiative.
Mr. Agbana introduced the carnival in 2023 to highlight the musical and artistic talent within the constituency that had previously lacked exposure. He noted that the first edition led to collaborations between local and national artists, elevating young musicians. The second edition identified talents like Real Keddy and Nature Drip, whose recording fees he personally sponsored, supporting their development under the mentorship of Edem.
The MP expressed optimism that the third edition would continue to uncover new talents and acknowledged the contributions of Jonila, Elorm Binny, and Edem for their consistent support in nurturing young creatives and promoting music in the constituency.
Edem, following his performance, thanked Mr. Agbana for his commitment to talent development and promised continued support for mentoring young artists from the region.
Some attendees spoke highly of the event, describing it as unprecedented in scale. Saviour Gavi, known as Lexicon, praised the MP for creating platforms that bring joy to both youth and elders, emphasizing the need for more leaders like him in the region.
The Edem Agbana Carnival has become an annual cultural and artistic highlight in the Volta region, particularly in the Ketu North Municipal, showcasing local talent, music, culture, and community pride. Launched three years ago, the carnival now stands as a major regional attraction, held every December 26, featuring street parades, music, dance, food, and cultural displays, fostering artistic expression, youth empowerment, and community cohesion.