New Juaben marks Akwantukese Saturday

The one-month annual Akwantukese Festival of the chiefs and people of the New Juaben Traditional Area will reach its climax with a grand durbar of the chiefs and people at the Koforidua Jackson’s Park on Saturday, December 14, 2013.

It will be preceded by a procession of the chiefs and people through the principal streets of Koforidua.

The Akwantukese Festival commemorates the great migration of the Juabens and their allies from their ancestral homes in Asante to establish the New Juaben settlement in the Eastern Region.

This year’s festival marks the 135th anniversary of the great migration, as well as the 100th anniversary of the enstoolment of Nana Kwaku Boateng I as the Omanhene of New Juaben.

It also marks the 21st anniversary of the enstoolment of Daasebre Prof (Emeritus) Oti Boateng, the current Omanhene of the traditional area.

The Akwantukese Festival, as celebrated over the years, promotes socio-economic progress through education of the youth on their origins, traditions and customs and serves as a tourist attraction for people from all over the world.

The festival reflects a profound linkage to its great past, more especially the ethos and the culture of New Juaben.

As part of the activities to mark the event, the New Juaben Traditional Council will present distinctive awards to recognise the contributions of companies, individuals and organisations towards the festival.