By Opesika Tetteh Puplampu
Ada, Aug. 04, GNA —The Planning Committee of the 89th Ada Asafotufiami Festival has announced that there will be no firing of muskets during this year’s celebration, as the Ada Traditional Area observes a period of mourning for departed traditional leaders.
The decision is intended to honour late Wetsoyihi (divisional chiefs), Asafoatsemei (warlords), Wornorhi (priests), and other traditional leaders who have passed on.
The 89th edition of the festival would instead focus on traditional cleansing, renewal, and preparations for the 90th Asafotufiami Festival, which will coincide with the Golden Jubilee celebration of the reign of His Majesty Jetse Abram Kabu Akuaku III as Paramount Chief of the Ada Traditional Area.
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency, Nene Adela Haviatse Vleh II, the Divisional Chief of the Kudzragbe Clan and a member of the festival planning committee, said the committee had unanimously agreed that no muskets would be fired during the official celebrations.
Nene Vleh explained that while clans and families could perform musket firing within their homes and designated traditional cleansing areas, firing of muskets at the main durbar grounds would not be permitted as part of the cleansing and renewal activities.
He also announced that no divisional chief, queen mother, warlord, or chief would be carried in a palanquin during this year’s celebration, departing from the long-standing tradition.
“If anyone flouts these arrangements, they will face sanctions on the directive of the Paramount Chief,” he warned.
He further disclosed that the customary visit to the sacred forest would be conducted privately and not opened to the public because of the sacred rites to be performed.
Nene Vleh said only Asafoatsenguame (senior warlords) would be permitted to participate in and witness the rites in the sacred forest, but all other programmes would be observed as they used to be.
The 89th Ada Asafotufiami Festival is scheduled to take place from August 7 to August 14, 2026, on the theme “Traditional Rites as a Tool to Elevate Ada”.
GNA
Edited by Laudia Anyorkor Nunoo/ Christabel Addo
Reporter: Opesika Tetteh Puplampu, GNA