News
Oguaa holds durbar to climax Fetu Afahye today

Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II
Fetu Afahye, a unique cultural festival of the chiefs and people of the Oguaa Traditional Area in the Central Region will be climaxed today.
Unlike previous festivals, this year’s event has so far generated massive patronage throughout the days with merrymaking and other night life activities on some streets of the once capital of the Gold Coast.
The festival which normally witness various cultural performances is held to mark a bumper harvest season and to thank the 77 deities of the Oguaa Traditional Area.
This year’s festival is on the theme: ‘Celebrating the city of the first.’
Today’s durbar of chiefs will be graced by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II as the special guest. The Ga Mantse, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, is also expected to attend the climax of the festival.
This year, being an election year will also attract notable political leaders in the country as they are expected to use their presence to increase their appeal among residents and well-wishers.
This year’s festival which is the 60th edition and the 25th anniversary of the installation of Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II, as Paramount Chief of the Oguaa Traditional Area.
Series of activities were put in place by the organising committee to ensure that this year’s Fetu Afahye leaves a lasting memory in the hearts and minds of residents as well as patrons and well-wishers.
Among some of the activities is the regatta on the Fosu Lagoon which was supported by ATL FM, a University of Cape Coast campus-based radio station.
It was attended by members of the traditional council, residents, and visitors.
The 2024 ATL FM Oguaa Fetu Afahye Regatta is an annual canoe race between the three main Asafo companies namely: Nkum Number 4, Bentsir Number 1, and Anaafo Number 2.
At the end of the regatta, Nkum No 4 came up tops and they received cash, medals and a trophy as their prize.
Anafo Number 2 and Bentsir Number 1 followed in second and third, respectively.
In an interview, a member of the ATL FM Events Committee, Emmanuel Buckman, gave his general impression about the programme, saying the turnout was one of a kind.
The regatta was followed by the Bakatue (the “opening of the lagoon”) ritual.
Prior to the various programme of activities, there was a special homecoming carnival and a drama night to officially kick-start the celebration of the festival.
The event attracted splendid performances from notable groups including masquerades.
One of the outstanding performances was by Cape Vibes Brass Band as they rendered captivating renditions of various songs to the admiration of all.
From David O. Yarboi-Tetteh, Cape Coast
News
Intake of ‘Gobe’ can prevent heart diseases —Nutritionists

Nutritionists have advised Ghanaians to eat more beans-based meals, including the popular local dish, gari and beans, also known as ‘Gobe’ to prevent heart diseases. They said incidences of obesity and cancer could be minimised with the regular intake of beans meals.
At a programme in Accra to mark the World Pulses ( Beans) Day on Monday, Mr Wise Chukudi Letsa, Nutritionist and Dietician, who spoke on the topic: ‘Beans: The Super Food for Healthy Living and Healthy Farmlands,’ admonished Ghanaians to include beans in their diets.
Mr Letsa said beans was rich in protein, fibre, vitamins, minerals, irons and other nutrients and contained just a little fat. Mr Letsa, a Nutritionist with Lets Consult, stated that the presence of those nutrients in beans explained why its intake could prevent heart diseases and other ailments, hence the need to consume it regularly.
The event, dubbed: ‘Meatless Monday’ was organised by the Communications Initiative for Change (CIC), a Ghanaian non-profit organisation.
The ‘Meatless Monday’ is an initiative aimed at encouraging Ghanaians to reduce their intake of meat by taking in more beans-based meals on every Monday of a week.
It was launched after the United Nations in 2019, set aside February 10 to celebrate and encourage the consumption of pulses (beans) worldwide. This year’s celebration was hinged on the theme: ‘Bringing Diversity to Agrifood Systems.’
Mr Peter Agbovi, National Secretary, Chefs Association of Ghana, said a variety of meals could be prepared with beans, which include Waakye (rice and beans), Kose (beans paste made into cakes), Ayikple, Aboboi, Tuo Zaafi, Akyeke, and kakro.
He encouraged Ghanaians to consume more of those foods to stay healthy.
Mr Emmanuel Fiagbey, the Executive Director, CIC, indicated that even if people could not eat beans-based meals regularly, efforts should be made to consume them every Monday.
He said that was the essence of the introduction of the ‘Meatless Monday’ initiative. -GNA
News
Restore beauty of Kwame Nkrumah Circle area / State of Kwame Nkrumah Circle an eyesore!

Small size quarry stones fixed at open spaces under the Kwame Nkrumah Circle Interchange was to leave the place open and free from activities of beggars and other activities of the homeless.
By the way the stones were fixed, it makes the area, particularly the VIP and Neoplan Station stretch of the Interchange, inhabitable by the destitute.
But a walk through the area currently suggest the opposite.
At the median where pavement blocks have been taken over by these homeless and destitute, the area has been turned into a hotel where a number of these unfortunate ones have comfortably laid their mattresses and other stuff to rest from the day’s activities.
They have crossed over to the SSNIT and Kaneshie Station area with their activities and have removed the quarry stones which were to ward them off the place to enable them find spaces to sleep comfortably.


The pavement blocks removed from different locations under the interchange now serves as foundations on which beds were laid and in some cases, mosquito nets erected.
Their continued presence is not only creating a nuisance for commuters but marring the beauty and serenity of the place.
Sadly, the activities of these deprived fellows have been ignored while the numbers keep increasing day by day.
The Spectator finds the development very worrying and calls on the responsible authorities to clear the area to restore the beauty and serenity of the area.
By Victor A. Buxton