After the huge success of its maiden coverage of the Oguaa Fetu Afahye in 2022, the management and staff of Asaase 100.3 Cape Coast have outlined exciting programmes for patrons at this year’s edition of the festival.
There won’t be a boring day in Cape Coast as the number one urban radio station in the region will take revellers through an eventful celebration.
The Fetu festival is celebrated by the people of Cape Coast in the Oguaa Traditional Area. One of the most popular festivals in Ghana, it is celebrated in the first week of September.
The Fetu festival is held to mark a bumper harvest season and to thank the 77 deities of the Oguaa Traditional Area.
The festival was known as “Black Christmas” by white settlers in pre-colonial times. It attracts people from both within and outside the borders of Ghana.
Apart from merry-making, the week-long festival also puts the ancient city of Cape Coast on display as a custodian of historical monuments.
There are colourful processions of chiefs and queenmothers in beautiful palanquins to the durbar grounds. The parades generate a huge amount of excitement as the chiefs and queenmothers are cheered on by their subjects.
Asaase Radio coverage
This year’s event is earmarked to enjoy extensive coverage, taking place in collaboration with major stakeholders such as the Oguaa Traditional Council, the Central Regional Co-ordinating Council, corporate entities in Cape Coast and a host of other partners. Most of the events will be live on radio and online.
Asafo companies coverage
The seven “Asafo” companies have had their turn on Between Hours, the flagship programme on Asaase Radio 100.3, to show what they are known for and how vital they are to the tradition of Cape Coast.
The Asafo companies are the Bentsir, Anaafo, Ntsin, Nkum, Abrofomba, Akrampa and Amanful.
Their leaders described their crucial roles in the development of communities and how they braved all odds to defend their people in wars and other spiritual attacks.
“Akoms” Night
The “Akoms” Night is the dance display of traditional priests and priestesses.
The “Akomfo” (priests and priestesses) dress in white calico with matching white body painting on their legs and other parts of their bodies, and dance to the admiration of their patrons.
The drumming and dancing by the “Asafo companies” (warrior groups) is what many people describe as the best part of the entertaining segment of the Fetu festival.
Digital coverage of the Bakatue Regatta
A significant feature of the Fetu festival is the regatta on the Fosu Lagoon, which takes place on the Tuesday preceding the first Saturday of September. The regatta is a sight to behold.
All the Asafo companies engage in special racing on the lagoon to show their ingenuity in use of canoes on the lagoon. This is after the Bakatue (the “opening of the lagoon”) ritual.
The Omanhen (paramount chief), Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II, throws a fishing net to symbolise the official lifting of the ban on fishing activities in the Fosu Lagoon.
Asaase Radio will bring these sights and sounds to listeners on radio and online.
Masked party
Patrons who graced last year’s masked party recounted how their close friends and family members could not identify them as they disguised themselves in masks.
This year’s masked party is being taken a notch higher, with surprise guests lined up.
The venue for the event is the Lemon Lounge on Commercial Street.
Grand durbar
On Saturday 2 September, there will be live coverage of the procession of chiefs to climax the week-long event. There will be a colourful display of tradition by the various traditional groups.
The elaborate procession of chiefs and traditional leaders as they make their way to the sacred shrine to offer prayers and sacrifices is one of the Fetu festival’s highlights. They are dressed in exquisite kente fabric and gold jewellery.
To obtain blessings for the coming year, this rite symbolises the connection between the living and the spirits of their ancestors.
The ambience of the festival is at its peak in the colourful parades, drumming and captivating cultural performances.
It is being sponsored by Bel Beverages, Marie Stopes and The Total Family Health Organisation (Ebony condoms).
Asaase Radio 99.5 broadcasts on radio via 99.5 in Accra, 98.5 in Kumasi, 99.7 in Tamale, 100.3 in Cape Coast and on our affiliates Bawku FM 101.5 in Bawku, Beats FM 99.9 in Bimbilla, Somua FM 89.9 in Gushegu, Stone City 90.7 in Ho, Mining City 89.5 in Tarkwa and Wale FM 106.9 in Walewale
Tune in to broadcasts online: www.asaaseradio.com, Sound Garden and TuneIn
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