The historic streets of Ga Mashie in Accra have turned white as the annual ‘Ye Yee Ye’ Twin Festival, also known as Akwele Suma, officially kicked off the 2026 Ga Mashie Homowo celebrations.

The festival, held on the Friday before the grand Homowo climax, celebrates the spiritual significance of twins in Ga culture, where multiple births are regarded as a divine blessing associated with fertility, prosperity and good fortune

The day begins with traditional rituals led by priests and family elders, including libations and a sacred herbal bath prepared with seawater, schnapps, an egg and seven traditional herbs.

The twins undergo the spiritual cleansing before being smeared with white clay, symbolising victory and long life, and dressed in identical white calico outfits.

They are also served Otɔ, a ceremonial mashed yam meal prepared with palm oil and boiled eggs, representing fertility and abundance.

The rituals culminate in a colourful procession through the principal streets of Ga Mashie, with twins ranging from newborns to elderly pairs taking part.

Amid traditional drumming, singing and chants of “Ye Yee Ye,” residents and spectators line the streets to celebrate the twins and offer them gifts.

The festival remains a significant cultural and spiritual tradition of the Ga people and a major prelude to the annual Homowo celebrations.