Accra: Daniel Augustus Lartey Jnr, the flagbearer of the Great Consolidated People's Party, has emphasized that the Osu Homowo Festival should be seen as a celebration of unity, food security, and togetherness, rather than a platform for political agendas or assigning blame. Speaking at this year's celebration in Accra on August 17, 2026, Dr. Lartey Jnr highlighted that Homowo, meaning 'hooting at hunger,' is a reminder for Ghanaians to cultivate and consume their own produce.
According to Ghana Web, Dr. Lartey Jnr explained that the essence of the Homowo festival for the Osu clan is fundamentally about overcoming hunger. "We of the Osu clan, when it comes to celebrating Homowo, it is, to put it bluntly, hooting at hunger. Hunger cannot kill us," he stated. He further explained that the festival serves as a unifying event, bringing together people from different religious and social backgrounds, including Muslims, Christians, and non-Christians, to celebrate and praise together.
Dr. Lartey Jnr noted that the festival is not limited to the Osu people but is also celebrated by communities such as Ga Mashie, Teshie, Nungua, and Tema. He extended an invitation to all Ghanaians to partake in the festivities, encouraging them to join in the eating, drinking, and praying. On broader national issues, Dr. Lartey Jnr advocated for unity and collaborative problem-solving instead of blame-shifting. "What we learn from the tradition is that we don't point fingers; we solve problems. All we have to do is fix Ghana, have a better Ghana and enjoy Ghana," he remarked.
Acknowledging the current economic challenges, he expressed optimism about future recovery, stating that in due time, everyone would be able to enjoy the benefits. The celebration was attended by notable figures, including Vice President Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, the Mayor of Accra, and the Greater Accra Regional Minister, with police presence ensuring security. Dr. Lartey Jnr mentioned that President John Dramani Mahama was unable to attend due to prior commitments. The Osu Homowo Cultural Festival, held every August, remains one of the major traditional celebrations among the Ga people.