Easter in the Kwahu Mountains has always been a big deal especially for natives who are only able to go home and see their families during this occasion and for non natives who see it as an opportunity to let their hair down from all the stress of their lives.
Even though Easter is a solemn occasion, there is a festive air up in the mountains with all the celebrations including parties and other social gatherings characterised by plenty of food, music and dancing that go on up there.
About nine years ago, Tema based radio station, Adom FM realised the huge entertainment potential of the Kwahu Easter celebrations had and took it upon itself to deliver events that will thrill the people of Kwahu.
Since then, the station has etched its name into what has become the biggest social gathering to celebrate during the season by putting up such exciting events like the Akwaaba bash, highlife festival and street jams, and football galas.
Last year, Adom FM put up such a wonderful show that left lingering memories in the minds of celebrants; so much so that this year, the people couldn’t wait for what package the station would bring them and it didn’t disappoint.
Partnered by telecoms giant, Vodafone and the Ghana Tourist Board, the station proved that all its on-air hype was no fluke as it dished out five days of non-stop entertainment events.
It started from Thursday, April 21st where in line with its social responsibility, the station raised funds for orphaned children at the Tomo-Ni orphanage in Kwahu at the Linda D’or Rest Stop at Bunso Junction from morning till about 5pm.
In the evening, there was an open air-jam where Adom FM’s Papa Bills and DJ Awana from Hitz FM dished out feet stomping songs that excited both travellers who stopped by and people living in the surrounding areas.
Minister of Tourism, Akua Sena Dansua and the Chief Executive of the Ghana Tourist Board, Mr Julius Debrah passed through and cracked up the crowd with some interesting dance moves.
On Good Friday, April 22, the place to be was the Ohene Nana Classic hotel at Mpraeso where the Akwaaba Bash, meant to welcome people to the mountains was held with performances by two of Ghana’s finest highlife artistes, Daasebre Ahoofe Gyamenah and Nana Tuffour.
The hotel was packed with music lovers who were very well entertained by the two performers.Singing with a live band, Daasebre took the audience down memory lane with his old songs like Kokooko, Ahoofe, Calling, Hwan Koraa Ba Nie to more current ones Still I Love You and You Stole My Heart. The crowd made up of both young and old sang danced along with him all through his performance.
Although Nana Tuffour was not well, that did not stop him from still giving off his best as he sang favourites like Abeeku, Aketekyiwa, Meyere Dada, Julie, Atinga among others.
Holy Saturday morning saw another innovation as Adom FM partnered the Kwahu Development Association to hold a grand durbar of chiefs at the Kwahu Pepease school park which was the first of its kind to be held.
The ceremony was graced by His Excellency, Vice President John Dramani Mahama and other dignitaries like the Eastern Regional Minister, Dr Appiah-Kubi, Local Government Minister, Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, Deputy Employment and Social Welfare Minister, Antwi Boasiako Sekyere, MP for Jomoro, Samia Nkrumah, General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketia and Women’s Organiser, Anita Desosoo as well as MDCEs of the Kwahu area.
It was a very colourful and grand ceremony well attended by about 22 chiefs in the area led by the Adontenhene, Akyemfuor Nana Asiedu Agyemang III and the townspeople which was climaxed by a fundraising for the Kwahu Educational Trust Fund to cater for needy but brilliant children.
In the evening, the place to be was the Obomeng High Street which was blocked for the Street Jam. The jam recorded huge numbers as both young and old trooped to watch their favourite artistes.
One of Ghana’s fast rising stars, Eazzy performed her hits songs Wengeze and Bo Wo Nsem Ma Me. Nana Boroo showed that he was maturing and had honed his stagecraft with a great performance of his songs like Aha Yede and Bebiaa Soso. He really involved the crowd who responded to him enthusiastically.
Ever the performer, Berima Sidney put up an excellent show of his hit songs like African Money, Obiaa Nye Obiaa and the newest, Ye be Sei Mu, 5five, whose song Muje Baya (Move Back) is on the lips of everybody were also on hand and got a rousing applause for their great choreography of the song.
Surprise artiste, Zigi of U Say Wetin fame also did his song but the night undoubtedly belonged to rising star, Opanka of Tie Tie fame who was at his best on the night. The audience could not get enough of him as he did Obiaa Ne Ne Taste, Tie Tie among others. He worked the crowd so well that they did not want him to leave.
On Easter Sunday, the Eastern Palace spot at the Atibie was also full to capacity as it played host to the Highlife bash featuring AB Crentsil, Gyedu Blay Ambolley and Paapa Yankson.
The old guys proved that they still have what it takes as they entertained the audience who were on their feet throughout with good old highlife tunes. The way the audience soaked in the performances showed that highlife will never die.
Hiplife artiste, Obour was a surprise act and performed admirably with the live band to the delight of the audience.
The Paragliding event which was revived by the Adom FM and the Ghana Tourist Board also took place from the 21st to the 25th at Atibie.
There was never a dull moment wherever the Adom FM train stopped and judging from the satisfaction on the faces of audiences who attended the events, there was no doubt everything was all right.
If Kwahu 2011 was a bomb, then there is more to be expected next year.
Source: Adomonline.com
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