The upper Denkyira West District Assembly celebrated the maiden edition of Upper Denkyira West District Homecoming Festival, from 26th December, 2022 to 1st January, 2023 across the District aimed at showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the people, promoting tourism and attracting business investment to enhance development of the District.
The homecoming celebration dubbed ‘Mefri Denkyira,22’ was a packed programme which ran through the whole week from Monday to Sunday under the theme for the homecoming is ‘Developing Together’.
The cebrations commenced on Monday 26th December with a float through the principal streets in three areas; from Jameso Nkwanta to Diaso, from Nkotumso to Ayanfuri and Akwaboso, Afiefiso and Ameyaw stretch in the morning from 6:30am to 8:30am. Then there were football matches in the afternoon from 12pm. With the football games, 16 teams were divided into group of 4, to play a knock out matches on 4 different parks namely Nkotumso, Ampabena, Subin and Modaso parks. Then the winners progressed to play in the quarter finals slated for a different day. There was an evening bash around 6:00pm of the same evening at Diaso, Ayanfuri And Subin.
On the second day, Tuesday 27th December, the morning started with clean up exercise from 6:30am to 9:00am. In the afternoon, day’s activity continued with the grand final of the district science and maths quiz at Ayanfuri exactly 12:00 noon. The finalists who have qualified through various stages of the competition converged at one venue to compete for the final prize of the science and maths competition. In the evening, there was dinner and awards night which started at Ayanfuri at 7:00pm in the night. The awards were in a form of honour to the recipients for their outstanding commitment and hard work towards the development of the district.
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On Wednesday 28th December, there were quarter final matches of the football competition at 12:00pm in Breman and Ntom parks respectively. There were also jams at Subin in the evening at about 6:00pm.
On Thursday 29th December which was tagged the YELLOW DAY began with the ‘YELLOW T-SHIRT- ON- JEANS DAY in the morning accompanied by a street carnival which started at exactly 8:00am from Diaso to Jameso Nkwanta and back to Diaso. There was also a visit to the Ave Maria Grotto Rock Site at Asantefokrom near New Obuasi which is the major Tourist destination in the Distination in the District. There was also street jams and variety show in the evening around 6:30pm at Diaso.
On Friday December 30th, there was a Muslim prayer at exactly 12:00pm at New Obuasi. The people of the community converged at New Obuasi mosque and had such prayers. At exactly 1:30pm the semi- finals of the soccer games continue at Jameso Nkwanta park. In the evening, there was an artiste night and beauty pageant dubbed “Miss Mefri Denkyira” during the late hours of the day.
On Saturday 31st of December, there was a Grand Durbar which climaxed the occasion. The durbar brought together prominent persons such as the Transport Minister, the Central Regional Minister, Acting President of Denkyira Traditional Council, the chiefs of the various stool lands, the Member of Parliament of the upper Denkyira West Constituency, the District Chief Executive, the various heads of departments of the district, traditional council, all assembly members of the district, Transport minister, etc. to grace the occasion. The programme started at exactly 9:30am in the morning. The occasion was also used to riase funds towards establishment of Educational Fund also to exhibit and project the rich culture of the people.
Finally, on Sunday 1st of January, there was keep fit and aerobics in the early hours at 6:30am. Also, medical screening was carried out during this time. In the afternoon at about 2:00pm, the third place of the football games followed by the finals of the soccer competition at Diaso. Then in the evening there was an inter- denominational thanksgiving, coral festival and gospel rock show at 6:30pm. Various heads of churches were invited to the thanksgiving service.
Several dignitaries were participated in the various activities through out the week. Most of these dignitaries cut across the entire durations of the programmes. Some of which were the District Chief Executive of the District, the District Coordinating Director, Transport Minister, Traditional Council of the District, Pastors of the various Churches in the District, Imams of the various Mosques in the District, Referees for the football competitions, other prominent persons in the District, All Assembly Members in the District.