The Kwahu West Municipal Chief Executive, Yaw Owusu Addo, has announced that Easter celebration in the Kwahu enclaves of the Eastern Region is likely to be celebrated, two years after it was canceled due to the outbreak of the coronavirus.
The MCE made the revelation in an interview where he was asked whether or not this year’s Easter celebration would be allowed since its suspension in 2020.
According to Yaw Owusu Addo, even though no decision has been taken yet, there are still meetings and consultations with other stakeholders ongoing and there is the likelihood that the celebrations would take place this year under strict COVID-19 protocols.
“COVID is now with us worldwide. It has shown us what it does not like. We did not know its character but now we know. We should follow the protocols and now we have the vaccine”.
Yaw Owusu Addo
Yaw Owusu Addo explained that Easter is part of the economic ventures in Kwahu, therefore taking it away from the enclave creates a huge economic loss.
“Money comes into the economy. Huge crowds come here. It boosts the economy. It brings happiness but we have lost a lot during the two years that it has not been celebrated”.
Yaw Owusu Addo
Mr. Owusu Addo further noted that they are planning to celebrate the festivities under the Covid-19 protocols. According to him, he observed that in Western Region, the masquerade celebrated Christmas under strict Covid-19 protocols conditions therefore, they can also do the same.
“It was a tourism one [masquerade celebrations] and the people did not die because they obeyed the Covid protocols. It shows that if we follow the laws, we can celebrate it.
“I have gone for a meeting on that and we are likely to do that. Police will ensure the protocols are adhered to. We shall put out water and soap and sanitizers on the roadsides so it is likely to come on”.
Yaw Owusu Addo
Easter Put on Hold Since 2020
For two consecutive years, the much-celebrated Kwahu Easter Festival was put on hold due to the raging coronavirus pandemic which affected mass gatherings and interaction.
But for the pandemic, businesses in Ghana would have started preparing feverishly to storm the Kwahu Ridge to market their products to the numerous revelers who travel from far and near to participate in the annual festivity, with the paragliding being the flagship event.
The announcement to again suspend last year’s Easter activities was made by the Kwahu Traditional Council during a meeting at the Abene Palace on Thursday, March 11, 2021.
The chiefs, led by the Kwahuhene, Daasebre Akuamoah Agyapong II, who is the President of the Kwahu Traditional Council, and the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), sent a strong caution to citizens to strictly adhere to the directive. The Council at the time noted that whoever failed to comply with the directive would be severely dealt with.
“We cannot prevent anyone from coming to Kwahu during the Easter holidays but activities will not be allowed. Although Easter usually starts on Thursday, we are placing a ban on every activity from Wednesday to Wednesday”.
Traditional Council
Religious leaders, especially Christians, were also warned against organizing Easter conventions.
The Paragliding festival became an integral part of the Kwahu festival in 2005 with seasoned pilots invited by the Ministry of Tourism to fly hundreds of people during the three-day event on the Odweanoma Mountain at Kwahu Atibie. However, COVID -19 scattered the memorable occasion in 2020 and 2021.
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