The 2026 edition of the Ashanti Festival has been launched with a call on the people to be actively involved to showcase the rich cultural heritage of the Ashanti kingdom to help boost other sectors of the economy.
It is on the theme: “Our story, our history, our culture”.
With MTN Ghana as the headline sponsor, activities lined up for this year’s event, dubbed “Ashantifest”, include a Street Art Festival, a football competition, Ashanti Kente Week, a blood donation drive and a health walk.
Others are a pilgrimage to Fomena, a dramalogue, the Bosomtwi carnival, a trade expo, a musical concert, a fashion exhibition and runway, a thanksgiving service to climax the festival, among other events.
More important, MTN Ghana will fully finance the musical concert and a football gala as part of its contributions towards the successful organisation of the festival.
Objective
The Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr Frank Amoakohene, said the festival had the objective of rallying corporate entities to come on board and support various sectors of the region, particularly in education, sports and recreation, tourism, trade, agribusiness among others.
On impact derived from the maiden edition held last year, he mentioned the renovation of the Kumasi Central Prisons health centre for the male inmates, adding “this year, we are renovating that of the female inmates as well”.
He said the festival was deliberate, well-planned, and an intentional way to attract investors to invest in the various sectors to support their growth for the ultimate benefit of the local people, adding, “I entreat everyone to be part of the celebration to make it a memorable one”.
Relevance
Speaking at the ceremony, the Senior Manager, General Trade for the Northern Sector, MTN Simon Amoh, who made the call, underscored the relevance and the preservation of the culture in every community.
He said, “culture carries whatever we are and so we identify with the culture of the Ashanti Kingdom.
As an African company, culture is an integral part of our way of life as an organisation”.
Commendation
For his part, the Kwamanghene, Nana Debrah Boateng Bediako, commended Dr Amoakohene for developing various initiatives and programmes tailored to improving the region’s fortunes.
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Source:
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