By J. K Nabary
Winneba (C/R), Jan 8, GNA – The Red Cross No. Four emerged the overall best performed masquerade group of the five groups for 2026 edition of the masquerading competition festival held at Winneba in the Effutu Municipality of the Central Region.
Red Cross took the first position from Nobles Number One which gave birth to all the masquerade groups in Effutu
Nobles Number One was the best group in 2024 and 2025.
The five groups were taken through disciplines such as inspection of costumes, march pass, slow dancing/blues, high-life dance and “adaha” speed or hot dancing.
At the end, Red Cross was adjudged the overall best performing group for the year 2026.
The second position went to Nobles No. One, followed by Royals No. Five, while Egya No. Two placed fourth and Tumus No. Three took the fifth position.
Each of the five groups took home a trophy as their award.
The event was organised by the Winneba Masquerade Federation with Mr Ebo Morrison as Chairman.
Earlier, a sixth group appeared on the field, fully dressed in their costumes with their brass band, claiming to be the No. Three group.
Their appearance generated confusion resulting in a fight, delaying the event which was scheduled for 1100hrs to 1430 hours and ending at 1900 hours.
For some time now there had been internal fighting in the Tumus No. Three group over the place it was formed and its leadership which ended at the Winneba High Court.
Efforts by stakeholders at Effutu to bring them together have failed.
Mr James Kofi Annan, Effutu NDC 2024 Parliamentary Candidate, the guest of honour in an interview with the media, commended Mr Morrison for single handedly rehabilitating the Advance Park for events including sporting activities.
He said some years back, he sponsored the walling of the park and praised Mr Morrison for constructing a 200 capacity ultra-modern VIP stand with a place of convenience.
Mr Morrison also the Chairman of Nobles No. One, also barricaded the outer perimeter to prevent people invading the inner perimeter, re-grassing the inner parameter and constructing a sick bay.
Mr Annan said his doors were open to all who wish to support him for further development on the field to make it more convenient for events.
“Effutuman needs peace to forge ahead, hence we the stakeholders should desist from actions that will disturb the peace of the area and also destroy the masquerading and other festivals,” he added.
Among other dignitaries and personalities who were at the event were Osahen Alexander Kwamena Afenyo Markin, Member of Parliament for Effutu and also the Minority Leader of Ghana’s Parliament; Rev Atta Mensah, the Effutu Municipal Chief Executive; Traditional Authorities, Assembly Members and the Winneba-Charlottesville-Sister Cities delegation from Virginia, USA.
The others were Mr Richard Kofi Asiedu, Central Regional NDC Chairman and personnel from the security agencies, with their Commanders led by ACP Ibrahim Opoku, Effutu Divisional Police Commander.
GNA
Edited by Alice Tettey /Benjamin Mensah