The 66th Afenorto Festival has opened business avenues for local business owners, especially food vendors in the Mepe township and other surrounding communities like Battor and Aveyime.

It has also had similar impact on other smaller communities in the North Tongu District.

On Thursday, a light procession was held as part of the festival. It was patronised by hundreds of residents, natives and visitors through the Principal streets of Mepe from 7:00pm to about 4:00am Friday morning with an increasing number of natives still arriving from their various locations across the country and beyond.

Food vendors, operators of drinking sports had a field day as their shops were highly patronized as a result of the massive turn out of residents and visitors to the town to grace the occasion.

The festival is a one month long ceremony with its grand durbar of Chiefs and People scheduled for August 6, 2022.

Hotels in the two towns of Mepe and Battor, like the Best care, Royal Masito and Up Town Grace hotels were booked a month ahead of the festival which has not been celebrated for two years due to the COVID-19 restrictions.

Management of the various hotels are excited about the turn out and the very peaceful atmosphere that has characterized the festival as well as the huge patronage by guests from the various cities and towns.

At the Royal Masito Palace, lots of people were seen gathered in groups drinking and having fun and waiting patiently for the grand durbar at Battor, a nearby town. The Best Care Hotel served its guests with live band music with both local and continental dishes. Due to its vantage location on the outskirts of Battor, the hotel had all their rooms booked with lots of programmes lined up for its cherished guests.

On their part, vendors who spoke with JoyNews were excited about the huge sales they are making in the 66th Afenorto Festival adding that the sales from the light procession is encouraging this year and they hope it continues throughout and after the festival.

“The turnout is great and we are enjoying and as well making good sales. That's part of the reason why we do the festival here.” a vendor said excitedly.

The Chairman for the Central Planning Committee of the Afenorto Festival, Mr. Fabian Kojo Mawulenu said a lot has gone into the organization of the festival and so far, the Committee is satisfied with preparations especially in regards to the security during and after the festival.

Mr. Fabian assured the residents of maximum security before, during and after the festival. Many security personnel have therefore been deployed around to maintain peace and order during the festival. He added that the festival has been one of the well-attended festivals in the country due to its rich culture and programmes.

The DCE for North Tongu, Osborn Divine Fenu said the activities lined up will boost the local economy and improve on the lives of the residents and the entire District. Mr. Fenu is confident that this year’s festival is the beginning of good things for the District.