Effutu: The chiefs and people of the Effutu traditional area on Saturday held a durbar to climax the 2026 Aboakyer Festival, with Neenyi Ghartey VII, the Paramount Chief of the Traditional Area, sitting in state to receive homage.
According to Ghana News Agency, the Tuafo No.1 Company was the first to present a live bushbuck to Neenyi Ghartey VII, who stepped on it three times to symbolize its acceptance by their principal deity, Penkyi Otu. This action paved the way for traditional rites to ensure a good harvest and prosperity.
This year's festival was themed 'Advancing our cultural heritage for development.' Earlier in the day, Neenyi Ghartey VII and his chiefs participated in a procession in traditional regalia to the AME Zion School Park, where a crowd awaited and cheered them.
The Aboakyer Festival is an annual event for the Effutu people, commemorating Penkyi Otu's guidance of their ancestors from the Western Sudan Empire (Timbuktu) to their current settlement. The durbar was attended by Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, Vice President, a delegation from the Winneba Charlottesville Sister City relationship, Central Regional Minister Mr. Ekow Panyin Okyere Eduamoah, and other Ministers of State.