They came from all over the province of Alberta to participate in the Ga-Adangbe Homowo Festival of 2012, held on Saturday August 25th in Calgary. The occasion also marks The Ga-Adangbe Association’s 5th Anniversary. Children and spectators alike - and they surely were not disappointed.

The Kpa Shimo music, like the festival as a whole, provided a sumptuous banquet of Ga-Adangbe sounds, with the concomitant dances and singing. Two extraordinary voices were added during the occasion with Mr. Fogah Amega singing both the Canadian and Ghana national anthems followed by special sounds and drumming by Sankofa African drummers of Winnipeg, bringing the hall down with a rambunctious, audience-participation version of Kpalongo. There was something for all the participants and spectators last weekend and as the event drew to a close, organizers agreed that it was indeed one of the most successful Homowo Festivals ever in Calgary.

The occasion was heralded by our guest speaker, Dr. David Boadi, who challenged all Ghanaians in the diaspora to think about socio-economic needs of Ghana and set a goal of helping to rebuild our Nation. **

“It was very successful,” said Theo Aryee, Secretary of the Ga Adangbe Association of Calgary, “We are so grateful to everyone for all their support and help.” Dr. Ayite Ayi, past president of the Ga Adangbe Association declared that “Generally, I'm very pleased with how it's gone this year,". "The response from the public has been extraordinary.”

Reflecting on where the Association has come from, the Chairman of the Association, Derrick Cudjoe, acknowledged the members and all the volunteers who gave themselves in a selfless manner to make this year a glamorous event. He asserted that “This year I think we are all supercool! And next year would be tremendous.”

“I want to also pay special tribute to the organizing committee members and volunteers without them, the festival just simply would not have conjured the spirit of the Festival- Ms. Becky Mensah, who decorated the hall, Mr Josh Laryea, Mr Michael Quarshie and Mr Theo Aryee (the foot soldiers of the Association). We are thrilled with the way things went and we look forward to another great year in 2013,” said Liz Quarshie.

Theo Aryee

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