Kumasi, Jan 12, GNA - The second edition of the Yaa Asantewaa Festival was on Thursday launched at a ceremony at the Centre for National Culture (CNC) in Kumasi.

The festival, which will be held from August 1- 5, is in recognition of the heroic achievements of Nana Yaa Asantewaa, the Queen of Ejisu, who led an army of 20,000 to resist attempts by the British Army to capture the Golden Stool in 1900.

The CNC is organising it under the auspices of the Golden Stool Heritage Foundation of the Manhyia Palace.

Among activities to be held during the festival are marathon race from Ejisu to Kumasi, women's football gala, a vigil to remember past heroes and heroines at Ejisu, trade fair and cook art. Others are pilgrimage to Sreso-Tinpom, the village where Yaa Asantewaa was sheltered, intellectual colloquium at KNUST, mock battle at the Kumasi Fort and durbar of Queen Mothers and women organisations. The rest are awards night to honour heroines and women of distinction, a variety of cultural performances and thanksgiving service at Ejisu.

Speaking at the launch Prof (Mrs) Akosua Addy, a senior lecturer at KNUST and a member of the planning committee, urged young women and girls to let the heroic achievement of Yaa Asantewaa spur then on to aim higher and take their pride of place in society. She said the festival, which would be celebrated every year, would be a permanent feature on the tourism calendar of the nation. Nana Yaa Asantewaa II, the Ejisuhemaa, thanked the Asanteman for recognising the unique role of the legendary queen of Ejisu and honouring her.

This, she said, would help encourage young women to endeavour to attain higher laurels in the chosen professions. Nana Serwah Amponsah, queen of Kumawu, said the festival should not only serve as a tourist attraction but should also serve as a platform to unite Asantes and Ghanaians in general.