By Prince Acquah
Cape Coast, Sept. 3, GNA – The ancient city of Cape Coast has been enveloped by profound euphoria as the Oguaa Traditional Area commemorates the 60th edition of the Fetu Afahye (festival) celebrations.
The city is currently filled with life and excitement as hundreds of people from across the world have thronged the picturesque coastal city to witness one of the country’s biggest festivals and revel.
This year’s celebration coincides with the 25th anniversary of Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II as the Oguaamanhen (Paramount Chief) and promises to be the most historic.
The cherry on the cake would be the historic visit of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, and his large entourage to grace the event.
Other dignitaries expected to grace the event include President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Former President John Dramani Mahama, and King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, the Ga Mantse.
A Ghana News Agency search revealed that all hotels in Cape Coast were fully booked weeks ago, therefore persons planning on securing a hotel room around this time would have to consider other options.
Already, residents, under the auspices of the Osabarimba Kwesi Atta, have held a massive clean-up exercise to rid the traditional area of filth.
Drivers, motor riders, businesses, fishers and traders were made to halt their business to clean all gutters, streets, weeded overgrown medians, pavements and other bushy areas, while malfunctioned streetlights have been fixed, giving the city a new bright look.
In addition, some landmark structures like the famed Cape Coast Castle and the Emintsimadze Palace, the seat of the Oguaamanhen, have been painted to brighten up the city.
With a general mood of excitement and anticipation, it is not uncommon to come across young people with fancy hairstyles and fashionable outfits in town.
Indeed, it is a good time for businesses, supermarkets, food vendors, market women and the hospitality industry in Cape Coast.
The Cape Coast Castle and similar tourist centres are witnessing a surge in visitations.
As usual, entertainment centres including pubs, night clubs, as well as several food joints have sprung up across the city, keeping the place animatedly vibrant day and night.
The heightened visibility of the police cannot escape attention as they demonstrate their full preparedness for the programme.
Considering the mouth-watering activities lined up for the festival, patrons are in for an experience of a lifetime.
The community has already held a homecoming street carnival on the streets of the city which was followed by some rites, rituals and a reverential night.
Hundreds of residents thronged the banks of the Fosu Lagoon on Tuesday afternoon to witness the bakatue (lifting of the ban on fishing in the lagoon) and the annual regatta.
A youth day, health screening exercise and tourism day would be held on Wednesday, followed on Thursday September 05, Osabarimba Kwesi Atta would sit in state to receive various visitors.
The city would also expect the arrival of the Asantehene during day, after which the two chiefs would hold a royal dinner and launch the Osabarimba Foundation.
The traditional authorities of Oguaa would perform purification rites on Friday and at night, the city would come to a standstill with the world’s second largest carnival dubbed “Orange Friday”.
The chiefs and people would hold a grand durbar on Saturday to climax the celebration.
Some business operators who spoke with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) were confident of making great sales.
GNA