The Sefwi Wiawso Traditional Council has launched the 2023 Eluo Festival at Sefwi Wiawso-Datano in the Western North Region.

The launch brought together all the chiefs, government officials, departmental heads, agency heads, non-governmental organizations, priests, and others to make the event successful.

The 2023 Eluo Festival was launched under the theme, "Ensuring Proactive Socio-Economic Development in Sefwi Wiawso Traditional Area, The Role of Traditional Leaders".

Eluo [meaning Yam] is an annual festival celebrated by the chiefs and people of Sefwi in the Western North region, formally the Western region of Ghana.

During the festive season, visitors are welcome to share food and drinks. The people put on traditional clothes and there is a durbar of chiefs and residents to display the true definition of their culture.

There is also dancing and drumming and sometimes a street jam involving top music artists to climax the celebration.

This festival is celebrated to mark an event that took place in the past. The festival is aimed at bringing together people for the planning of development and sewing bonds of unity and friendship.

Before the celebration of the festival matters are resolved by the chiefs to ensure an incident-free event.

Meanwhile, the Paramount Chief of Sefwi Wiawso, Katakyire Kwasi Bumangamah II speaking during the launch said the festival has not been celebrated well over the years due to the presence of Covid-19.

He, however, urged all the chiefs and the residents to involve themselves well in the celebration of this year's festival to make it a memorable one.

Also, Nana Elluo Payin, the chief of Sefwi Nsuasua who doubles as Kyidomhene of the Sehwi Wiawso Traditional Council and internal planning committee member of this year's festival celebration said the chiefs are doing their best to make sure the region they fought for sees its best in terms of development.

Notwithstanding, Nana Elluo Payin touted some enviable developments in the region since its creation. He also indicated that the festival will commence on October 19 to November 19, 2023.

Again, the Chief of Sefwi Boinzan and Kontihene of Sefwi Wiawso Traditional Council, Nana Ofori Ahenkan II called on indigenes to support the thriving effort to develop the region. He appealed to all to forgive each other as they celebrate this year's Eluo Festival.

Moreover, Nana Ahenkan urged those in the diaspora to come home to support the Sehwi Wiawso Traditional Council to celebrate the Eluo Festival.