A cultural clash is brewing in the capital as the Ga Traditional Council has issued a stern warning against the planned celebration of the Igbo New Yam Festival in Accra, citing fears that the event could disrupt peace and security within the Ga State.
The council has formally appealed to relevant authorities to intervene and halt the event, which is scheduled for Sunday, September 21, 2025, at the Efua Sutherland Children’s Park.
The festival is being organized by Eze Dr. Amb. Chukwudi Jude Ihenetu, a leader within Ghana’s Igbo community, under the banner of “2025 Ibo Day in Ghana – New Yam Festival.”
This is a long-standing tradition in Ghana, with the Igbo community having celebrated it annually for over a decade.
A previous event in 2024, for instance, saw dignitaries from across Ghana and Nigeria in attendance.
However, the Ga Traditional Council views the upcoming festival as a direct challenge to its authority.
According to a letter signed by the Council’s Registrar, Evelyn Amewotse, the planned celebration disregards a previous press release from July 9, 2025, which cautioned Eze Ihenetu against holding cultural and traditional festivities that seek to introduce Igbo traditions into the Ga State.
The New Yam Festival, or Iri Ji as it is known among the Igbo people, is a culturally significant event celebrated globally, marking the end of the farming season and the beginning of a new harvest cycle.
It typically involves rituals, feasting on yams, traditional music, and masquerade dances.
The Ga Traditional Council’s objection is rooted in its mandate to protect and preserve the cultural integrity and sovereignty of the Ga State.
“HRM King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II has directed me to write to inform you and also seek your assistance by putting the above programme to a halt as soon as possible,” the registrar stated in the letter, underscoring the seriousness of the issue.
The council’s fear is that allowing such an event, especially after a direct caution, could set a dangerous precedent and lead to future tensions.
The appeal to authorities signals a potential standoff between a traditional authority and a foreign-based community, highlighting the complexities of cultural coexistence in a metropolitan area like Accra.
The intervention of law enforcement and government bodies will be crucial in de-escalating the situation and finding a resolution that respects both parties’ concerns.
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Source: myjoyonline.com
