Ga Mantse and President of the Ga Traditional Council, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, received a rousing welcome as he led Ghana’s delegation to the Ohio Ghana Festival in Columbus at the weekend, reaffirming the strong cultural and civic bond between Accra and its Sister City, Columbus.

The appearance of the King and his entourage was the highlight of the festival’s opening, which drew hundreds of Ghanaian-Americans and members of the wider Columbus community to celebrate Ghanaian heritage through music, food, and tradition.

Dressed in stately traditional attire and accompanied by leading chiefs from the Ga State and northern Ghana, the Ga Mantse received a formal welcome from the City of Columbus, represented by top officials including Congresswoman Joyce Beatty and Mayor Andrew J. Ginther.

“This festival is about building bridges between communities, across continents,” Mayor Ginther remarked. “Accra and Columbus are joined not just by a Sister City agreement, but by shared values and a spirit of cultural exchange.”

King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, in his address, acknowledged the Ghanaian diaspora’s contributions to American life and encouraged continued collaboration in education, business, and cultural exchange.

“Our traditions must not only be preserved,” the King said. “They must be shared. That is how we deepen understanding, strengthen identity, and build lasting bonds between people.”

The Ohio Ghana Festival, now a fixture on Columbus’ cultural calendar, featured a lineup of drumming, dance, and culinary displays that showcased Ghana’s rich diversity. For many attendees; particularly young members of the diaspora; the opportunity to interact directly with traditional rulers was a moment of pride and connection.

Joining the Ga Mantse were Chianabu-Pio, Pe Ditundini Adiali Ayagitam III, the Paramount Chief of the Chiana Traditional Area, who is also President of the Upper East Regional House of Chiefs and a member of the Council of State; Naba Abisa Anthony Atasige lll, Vice President of the Upper East Regional House of Chiefs; Nii Adote Otintor II, Paramount Chief of Sempe, and Nii Dodoo Nsaki II, Paramount Chief of Otublohum. Together, they offered a visible expression of Ghanaian unity and heritage in the diaspora setting.

Organisers from both Ghana and Ohio say the event marks a new chapter in the Sister City partnership. Plans are underway to explore joint programmes in arts, youth mentorship, and cultural education.

As the festival drew to a close, it left an impression that went beyond entertainment. It was a statement that tradition, when shared with openness and dignity, becomes a bridge to new opportunities and deeper understanding.