The Manya Krobo Traditional Council has called on the youth to uphold cultural values and steer clear of social vices, as preparations intensify for the 132nd Ngmayem Festival.
‘Ngmayem’ means “Eating the new millet”. The Ngmayem Festival is an annual harvest celebration that gives thanks to the Creator for a bountiful harvest of pearl, millet (ngma). It is a deeply spiritual, cultural, and social occasion that unites the Krobo people in gratitude and renewal.
At the festival’s official launch in Kpong on August 23, the Council expressed deep concern about the growing threat of drug abuse, describing it as a serious issue that could undermine the future of young people.
“We are collaborating with the Lions Club, Rotary Club, and the FDA to run a massive drug abuse education campaign in our senior high schools during the festival week. If we don’t tackle this drug issue now, it will become a crisis in five years,” a representative warned.
The Council also issued stern warnings against sexual immorality, reckless driving, and other forms of misconduct during the celebrations.
Nene Gilbert Odjidja, Chairman of the Festival Planning Committee, emphasized the festival’s renewed focus on cultural preservation and social responsibility.
“This year, our focus is on our Krobo and Dangme culture. We are celebrating ourselves in love and unity. We invite everyone, indigenes and non-indigenes alike to join us in honouring our heritage,” he said.
The 2025 Ngmayem Festival, which will run from October to December, promises a vibrant display of Krobo culture, unity, and community development.
It will be celebrated under the theme “Celebrating Our Heritage, Building Our Communities with a Purpose.”
The festival is expected to attract Krobo indigenes from across Ghana and abroad, as well as tourists and cultural enthusiasts eager to experience the traditions and spirit of the Krobo people.
The Divisional Chief of Manya-Aklomuase, Nene Okpatakpla Sasraku who represented the Konor of the Manya Krobo Traditional Area, Nene Sakite II, sought stakeholders’ support for the festival’s success.
Major highlights of this year’s celebration will be the reintroduction of the Miss Ngmayem Beauty Pageant, a cultural showcase of Krobo womanhood, elegance, and tradition.
Other anticipated events include a visit to the sacred ancestral mountains, the traditional warlike procession Aklame to the royal mausoleum Yokama, and a range of social and community development activities.
Like many traditional festivals in Ghana, the Ngmayem Festival serves as a platform to showcase cultural heritage, promote unity, and resolve family disputes in the spirit of reconciliation.
