The Royal Family Head of the Oyoko Clan in Aburi, Nana Ayensu Prem II, has described the annual Odwira festival as more than a cultural celebration, saying it remains a vital catalyst for economic development, prosperity and communal unity across Akuapeman.
Speaking to the media during the historic 200th-anniversary celebration of Odwira in Aburi, the traditional family leader said the festival provides significant business opportunities for local traders, street hawkers and market women.
He noted that the influx of visitors and celebrants leads to increased sales, providing a much-needed financial boost to households in the community.
Beyond the financial gains, Nana Ayensu Prem II stressed the deep social and emotional impact of the celebration. He explained that Odwira serves as a homecoming for sons and daughters of Aburi living overseas, fostering a strong sense of togetherness, love and cultural pride.
“It is a sacred period for families and community members to settle longstanding disputes, reconcile with one another, and restore harmony,” he remarked, adding that the festival’s spiritual essence brings long life, peace and overall prosperity to the entire Akuapeman traditional area.
Nana further appealed to the Mahama-led government to prioritize large-scale land acquisition for agriculture, stating that it will boost farming and significantly reduce the rate of youth unemployment in the country.
Source: Collins Kofi Asante
