By Ablah Dzifa Gomashie
Ningo-Prampram came alive this August with the vibrant rhythms, rituals, and reflections of the 2025 Homowo Festival, a celebration that honored tradition while casting a bold vision for the future. I had the distinct honor of representing His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama as the Special Guest of Honour, joining the proud people of Ningo in a durbar that was as dignified as it was dynamic.
We were warmly received by the ever-energetic Hon. Sam Nartey George, Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram and Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation. His leadership, bold, affable, and deeply rooted in community, set the tone for a festival that blended cultural pride with national purpose.
Homowo, meaning “hooting at hunger,” is more than a ritual, it is a reminder of resilience, unity, and the enduring wisdom of our ancestors. This year’s theme, “Education: The Best Legacy for Our Children,” could not have been more timely. In my address to the gathering of chiefs, elders, youth, and dignitaries, I emphasized that cultural education is not a luxury, it is a necessity. It is the bedrock of national identity and a catalyst for development.
I called for the reintroduction of Cultural Studies in our schools, a move that would complement ongoing reforms in STEM and TVET education, digital literacy, and the expansion of Creative Arts. Education must not only equip our youth with skills, it must instill values: patience, wisdom, hard work. These virtues lie at the heart of Homowo and must be passed on with intentionality.
Tourism in Ghana is anchored in our culture, traditions, and creative industries. With over 4.8 billion cedis contributed to the economy, the sector has proven its worth. But festivals like Homowo offer even greater potential, drawing tourists, preserving heritage, and creating jobs. With the right infrastructure and investment across all domains, Ghana’s cultural economy can soar beyond current records.
Hon. Sam George also addressed the durbar, commending the community for its vibrant participation and announcing the construction of a new nursing training school in Ningo, a significant step toward improving healthcare education and access in the region.
The festival was graced by an esteemed assembly of traditional leaders and dignitaries, including His Royal Majesty Nene Osroagbo Djangmah XII, Paramount Chief of Great Ningo; His Royal Majesty King Dr. Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, Ga Mantse; Nene Tetteh Wakah III of Prampram; Prof. Odaifio Welentsi III of Nungua; Naana Dugbakuwor Dugba II, Queen Mother of Great Ningo; and Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, Special Envoy on Religion and Inter-Faith Affairs, representing the Chief of Staff.
As the drums echoed and the people danced, one truth rang clear: Homowo is not just a festival, it is a legacy. And in Ningo-Prampram, that legacy is being renewed with vision, vigor, and a deep commitment to the future of Ghana’s children.
Pictures: credit Abla Dzifa Gomashie
