In a significant cultural event, former Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), Charlotte Osei, has been enstooled as the Safohen of Nkum Asafo Group Number 4. Announcing her new role on Facebook on June 8, Charlotte Osei revealed her stool name as Safohen Nana Ama Kesson. She will lead the group as a warrior during the prestigious Fetu Oguaa Afahye Festival in September.
Charlotte Osei shared images on her social media, where she is dressed in regal attire, holding a whip—a traditional symbol of leadership. Her new role positions her at the forefront of the festival's activities, highlighting her importance in the cultural landscape.
The Fetu Afahye Festival is an annual celebration by the people and chiefs of the Cape Coast Traditional Area in the Central Region of Ghana. This year, the week-long festivities will take place from September 1 to September 7, drawing natives from various parts of the world to participate in the vibrant celebrations.
In the lead-up to the festival, the Omanhene, or paramount chief of Oguaa, observes a week of seclusion to communicate with the gods. During this period, a ban is placed on drumming, dancing, noise-making, and merrymaking within the municipality, and fishing in the Fosu Lagoon is prohibited.
As part of the festival, the Omanhene performs a ceremonial libation to Nana Fosu, the deity, and officially reopens the lagoon by casting a net into the waters three times, symbolizing the lifting of the fishing ban. The grand day, marked by a community procession with dancing and celebrations, falls on the first Saturday in September.
Fetu Afahye not only signifies the beginning of a new year for the Oguaa people of Cape Coast but also concludes with an interdenominational service at Chapel Square, reinforcing the festival's cultural and spiritual significance. This year, with Charlotte Osei's new role as Safohen Nana Ama Kesson, the festival is set to be even more remarkable.