By Michael Foli Jackidy
Ehi (V/R), Sept. 25, GNA – The chiefs and people of Ehi, in the Ketu North Municipality of the Volta Region, commenced the 2024 edition of the Ehi Nutome Gali Za (festival) on September 21 with varied activities.
This year’s celebration, under the theme, “Rallying for Development,” will span a week, featuring a variety of activities aimed at fostering unity, culture, and progress in the Ehi community and its surrounding areas.
The festival, organised by the Ehi Nutome Gali Za Festival Planning Committee, began with a massive clean-up exercise.
Citizens from across the community came out in large numbers to tidy up public spaces, streets, and key areas of the Ehi community, setting a tone of cooperation and communal responsibility for the week-long celebration.
Following the clean-up, the activities kicked into high gear with a cycling race and a card-playing competition on Monday, September 23, which saw community members of all ages participating in friendly competitions.
On Tuesday, September 24, basic schools within Ehi and its environs competed in a Music and Cultural Festival, highlighting traditional music, dance, and other cultural displays.
Mr Christian Tsipokor, Home Publicity Chairman of the Festival said the event aimed to nurture the artistic talents of the younger generation while fostering a deeper appreciation of the Ewe culture.
He disclosed that Wednesday, September 25, promised excitement with the grand finale of a football tournament that had been running for weeks, alongside an Ancestral Walk and Street Art Festival that would showcase creative expressions on the main streets of Ehi.
The highlight of Thursday, September 26, would be the Gali Za Float, where the youth of Ehi will take to the streets, parading through the towns of Ketu North.
Later that day, there would be a Cooking Competition where the women of the community would demonstrate their culinary skills, preparing traditional dishes as part of a friendly rivalry.
Friday, September 27, would feature a Health Walk followed by a comprehensive Health Screening for the community.
The day would end with a Beauty Pageant, where contestants will showcase not only their beauty but also their knowledge of Ewe culture and tradition.
The festival would culminate in a Grand Durbar on Saturday, September 28, at the Ehi EP Basic School Park. The durbar, a colorful gathering of chiefs, dignitaries, and community members, will be the centerpiece of the celebration.
Torgbui Adukpo Dzeble IV, the Chief of Ehi, would host the event, welcoming Torgbui Akpo Ashiakpor VI, the Paramount Chief of Weta Traditional Council, and Nana Awuah-Darko Ampem II of Juaben, who will serve as the guests of honor.
In addition, several political and business figures are expected to grace the occasion, including Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), and Former President John Dramani Mahama, Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Business leader Mr. Hilton John Mitchell, CEO of Johnmoore International Limited, would also be in attendance.
The festival will end with a Thanksgiving Ceremony on Sunday, September 29, followed by a lively Pool Party at Seth Freedom Hotel, offering a final opportunity for revelers to unwind and celebrate the week’s events.
The 2024 Ehi Nutome Gali Za promises to be a vibrant and meaningful celebration, not only of Ewe culture and traditions but also of the community’s aspirations for development and progress.
GNA