Secondi-Tadi Officially Open for Xmas Showdown

…Hotels, Guest Houses Getting Full; Minister Assures Adequate Security 

The countdown for the much-awaited Masquerade Festival, otherwise known as “Ankos festival,” or “Tadi Fest,” celebrated by the people of Sekondi-Takoradi in the Western Region, is over, with the regional capital fired up for the biggest street carnival.

The Regional Minister, Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, joined by the mayor of the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis, Mumin Issah, and the Municipal Chief Executive for Effia Kwesimintim, Kojo Acquah, on Tuesday, December 19, officially opened the city up for all Christmas activities to begin.

But even before the festivity could peak, The Anchor gathered, major hotels, guest houses and event centers are getting full, with more visitors and tourists trooping into the “Oil City” to partake in the celebration.

The widely patronized back-to-back event is expected to seethe principal streets in the city come to a standstill, amidst the playing of brass band music and thrilling performances from masqueraders.

This paper’s correspondent, who visited certain parts of the town, reported of a rather pumped-up atmosphere, with economic activities fully ignited.

While some business owners, like restaurants, pubs, cinema and others, have expressed readiness to cash in during the period, some hotel operators also confirmed the mad rush for booking with limited spaces currently available.

With foreigners and Ghanaians living abroad and those from other regions trooping in to catch a glimpse of the festival, those who have already arrived in the town said they will go all out to enjoy the season with all the fun that comes with it.

Beefed Up Security

Mr. Charles Cobbina, the officer in charge of “Christmas City Project” at the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC),told The Anchor, various committees have been put in place to ensure an incident-free celebration for the world to hear and know about masquerade street carnival.

In terms of security, Mr. Cobbinah, who is popularly known in public as Kempes, said adequate measures have been put in place to ensure not only the safety of the visitors, but also residents of the Sekondi-Takoradi metropolis.

He mentioned that, aside from the security arrangements with various security agencies, including the Ghana Ambulance Service, other health facilities like hospitals and clinics, as well as transport operators and driver unions, have received orientation from the committees put together by the RCC.

In 2019,Sekondi-Takoradi, the capital of the Western Region, was declared a Christmas City by the city authorities. The purpose is to link all activities from economic tourism and youth talent commercialization to the world for mutual benefit. Consequently, December 19 to January 2 of every year was declared as the duration of Christmas in Sekondi-Takoradi.

The Launch

The ceremony to open the Christmas festivities was witnessed by staff of the Ghana Tourism Authority, the Western Regional Coordinating Council and some students from Sekondi College.

All events organizers were represented by Mr. Enoch Asare, popularly known as “Feeling Daddy” of Empire FM and the CEO of the Takoradi Mall, Mr. Quartey, well known as “Mr. Tee.“

The ceremony was in three parts: the official opening ceremony which occurred at the Sekondi College junction, a test tour through European Town, the Beach road to the Liberation and Ashanti roads where the Taadi fest and Westside Carnivals will occur and then to the heartbeat of the city at the Taadi Mall.

In all their speeches, the Regional Minister, the two mayors and the head of security invited tourists to feel free to come celebrate, and that the city is very ready to serve quality carnivals with over 60 events during the period.

The three-day carnival will be on 25th, 26th and 1st. The screening of the Bahamas Carnival and the 10-day Business Tours are the highlights of this year’s events.

Over 40 masquerade groups

Meanwhile, “Feeling Daddy” has told this paper, over 40 masquerade groups, with a membership of at least 3,000 each, are expected to participate in this year’s occasion.

According to him, necessary preparations and arrangements have been made to ensure the festival comes off successfully to boost the region’s tourism potentials.

This year’s event, which will mark the second edition after the outbreak of the deadly Covid-19 that halted the festival in 2020 and 2021, is expected to record higher turnout.

The “Ankos Festival” is a unique event that attracts dozens of groups of people, dressed in wild outfits who display their skills and artistry via dance.

Source: Anchorghana.com