The AshantiFest, instituted to mark Easter in the Ashanti Region, has entered its final lap filled with entertainment activities.

Already, a boxing night, football games, and an electrifying jama [Singing] competition have been held to the satisfaction of many.

Many more entertaining events are scheduled for the Easter weekend with many residents of Kumasi gearing up for full participation.

According to the Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr Frank Amoakohene, the idea to stage a festival was conceived after a request from some youth at a clean-up exercise.

On social media, the minister requested ideas to sustain the event for two weeks. Series of events were therefore scheduled for the ten-day event in the region.

“The whole concept of the Ashanti Festival is to bring out our various sectors, showcase what we have as a region and see how best we will be able to promote inter-sectoral support for each other”, he said.

The festival, which kicked started on 12th April, commenced with a clean-up exercise in all the Metropolitan, Municipal and Districts in the Ashanti Region.

A football game between sports presenters and Kumawood actors sparked excitement in the region, and a boxing night followed at the Parade Grounds of KNUST.

Though the city is not heavy on boxing, patronage was high, as bouts were interspersed with musical performances and comedy.

At the Food Fair and Bazaar held at the Kumasi Cultural Centre, a variety of indigenous Ashanti food was on display, attracting many patrons within the city.

It offered the stage for other cultures to promote their cuisine. The Ghanaian traditional fabrics and locally manufactured clothing featured prominently at the event grounds.

Foster Ayisah lauded the food on display, “The food bazaar was an interesting one. A lot of local food which are rarely seen was exhibited. I know many people have learnt new things just as I have.”

The organisers of the festival did not leave out educational activities for the basic and senior high schools.
For the basic schools, a spelling bee was organised among some public schools, while the Senior High Schools fiercely contested in a debate.

A Science and Technology Fair was also featured as part of the education activities. Inmates of the Kumasi Central Prisons were not left out of the event, as the minister led a medical screening.

A blood donation exercise was featured alongside the health screening exercise, which was also open to the public.

The programme, sponsored by telecommunication giants MTN, was heavily patronised by Kumasi residents. A trip to the Lake Bosomtwe and Kids Festival will be held on Easter Friday to usher in the weekend.

Rich traditional artifacts will also feature on Saturday at a Kente Festival and Wood Carving event.

The region’s dominance in the movie industry will also be showcased as part of the Ashanti Fest activities.