The Teshie Traditional Area officially launched the 2025 edition of the Homowo Festival on Friday, August 8, with a resounding call for unity, cultural reflection, and reconciliation.

The event, held under the theme “One Festival. One People. One Heritage,” marked the start of what local leaders hope will be a peaceful and purposeful festive season.

Ledzokuku Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Israel Adjetey Otchwemah, was represented at the launch by his Personal Assistant, Rees Armah Quaye, who delivered a keynote address urging residents to embrace the spirit of the season and to confront the longstanding divisions threatening the area’s development.

“This occasion marks the beginning of what we hope will be a season of peace, reflection, cultural pride, and most importantly, unity among our people,” Mr Quaye stated.

“The Homowo Festival is more than a mere cultural event. It is the heartbeat of the Ga people – a sacred time when we remember our ancestors, recount our history, and offer thanksgiving for overcoming famine.”

The event was graced by the Member of Parliament for Ledzokuku, Benjamin Ayiku, as well as traditional leaders and clergy from the Church of Pentecost, signifying broad support for the festival’s objectives.

In his remarks, Quaye acknowledged the deep social and cultural significance of Homowo, especially in fostering a sense of collective identity through rituals such as the sprinkling of kpoikpoi and traditional drumming and dancing.

However, he cautioned that the true meaning of the festival could be lost if the community remains plagued by internal disputes.

“What is the value of celebrating a festival of peace, while we remain divided among ourselves?” he asked.

“Teshie, like many parts of our country, has endured its fair share of chieftaincy and land disputes. These conflicts have discouraged investment, hindered development, and weakened our social cohesion.”

He called on the people of Teshie to see Homowo 2025 as a turning point – a moment to “build bridges, not walls.

” Stressing that conflict undermines development, he noted that infrastructure projects such as roads, schools, hospitals, and sanitation services cannot thrive in a fractured society.

Mr Quaye urged all residents, regardless of clan, gate, or lineage, to use the season as a time of healing and reconciliation.

“I speak not only as a government representative but as a son of this soil. The time has come for Teshie to rise above its divisions, to turn a new page, and to allow development to thrive.”

He commended the Teshie Traditional Council, the Council of Elders, youth leaders, and security services for their continued efforts to maintain peace in the area.

He also acknowledged the Assembly’s collaboration with key stakeholders, including religious groups, the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), and civil society organisations, to roll out peace education ahead of the celebrations.

“As we move forward, we want 2025 to be remembered not for clashes or court cases, but for unity and progress,” he added.

Mr Quaye concluded with a heartfelt appeal to all residents to take ownership of the peace process.

“Peace is not the burden of the chiefs or the Assembly alone. Whether you are a market woman, a student, a pastor, a taxi driver, or a youth leader – you have a role to play. Let us each sow seeds of peace, and soon, we will all reap the fruits of development.”

With that, the 2025 Teshie Homowo Media Launch was formally declared open. He also encouraged the media to become ambassadors of peace throughout the festivities, helping to shape a narrative of harmony, pride, and shared heritage.

Homowo 2025 is expected to draw large crowds and a renewed sense of community as Teshie positions itself to move beyond conflict and embrace a future of unity and growth.

The Paramount Chief of Teshie and President of the Teshie Traditional Council, Gbetsoolo Nii Ashitey Akomfra III, has reaffirmed the unifying spirit and cultural richness of the Homowo Festival, while cautioning against acts of indiscipline that mar its sanctity.

He emphasised how this simple but meaningful act strengthens bonds across families and communities, reinforcing a collective destiny.

However, reflecting on events from the previous year, the Chief did not shy away from addressing challenges faced during the 2024 celebrations.

“A handful of disgruntled community leaders tried to create confusion over the timing of Homowo events,” he noted, while expressing disappointment over the public’s apathy towards the annual clean-up campaign and mosquito spraying exercises.

“It is a criminal offence to refuse to participate in communal labour,” he warned. “Those who dodge the exercise this year will be sanctioned.” The Chief urged every Teshiemei to take civic responsibility seriously in the lead-up to the festival.