The Ghana Armed Forces has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to promoting peace, national unity and social cohesion as preparations gather momentum for the 2026 Teshie Homowo Festival. Speaking at the media launch of the festival on Friday, Command Operations Officer at Headquarters Southern Command, Colonel Lawrence Sedu Agbedoawu, who represented the General Officer Commanding (GOC) Southern Command, emphasised the military’s support for the annual cultural celebration, describing it as a powerful symbol of resilience, hope and national identity. Delivering goodwill remarks on behalf of the GOC Southern Command, Col Agbedoawu conveyed greetings from the military high command and expressed appreciation to the organisers for inviting the Ghana Armed Forces to participate in the official launch of one of the country’s most celebrated traditional festivals.
He commended the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs for its continued collaboration with the chiefs and people of the Teshie Traditional Area in preserving and promoting Ghana’s cultural heritage. According to him, the partnership between government institutions and traditional authorities demonstrates a shared commitment to safeguarding the nation’s rich customs and traditions while strengthening national unity. “This partnership reflects a deep commitment to unity, tradition and national identity—values that are essential to our collective peace and development,” he stated.
Touching on the theme for the 2026 Homowo Festival, “Our Culture, Our Heritage,” Col Agbedoawu described it as both timely and relevant, noting that it serves as a reminder of the common values that unite Ghanaians despite the country’s cultural diversity. He said the theme highlights the importance of preserving Ghana’s heritage while fostering a collective sense of purpose and responsibility among citizens. “It reminds us that despite our diversity, we are bound together by a shared history, a common destiny and a responsibility to uphold the values that define us as Ghanaians,” he said.
The senior military officer reiterated the Ghana Armed Forces’ enduring commitment to maintaining peace, promoting national cohesion and supporting initiatives that strengthen social harmony across the country. He stressed that the Homowo Festival extends beyond cultural festivities, describing it as a celebration tha… The Paramount Chief of Teshie, Gbetsoolo Nii Ashitey Akomfra III, has assured residents and visitors that the 2026 Teshie Homowo Festival will be celebrated under significantly improved security arrangements, stronger government collaboration and renewed community unity following the tragic events that overshadowed last year’s festivities.
Speaking at the official media launch of Homowo 2026 on Friday, July 24, the Chief, who doubles as the President of the Teshie Traditional Council, reflected on the lessons learnt from the previous festival, announced a series of activities for this year’s celebrations and called on all Teshie residents to embrace peace in honour of their ancestors. He also revealed that, for the first time, Ghana’s Parliament has formally recognised the cultural and economic importance of the Teshie Homowo Festival, describing the development as a historic milestone for the traditional area. Opening his address, Gbetsoolo Nii Ashitey Akomfra III recalled that ahead of last year’s Homowo Festival, he had appealed publicly for peace and harmony among the people of Teshie.
He noted that the call was widely embraced by stakeholders from across society, including representatives of the military, the Ghana Police Service, Christian and Muslim religious leaders, the Member of Parliament, traditional authorities, business leaders and other influential personalities. According to the Paramount Chief, every stakeholder who addressed the gathering pledged to work together to ensure that Homowo 2025 would be peaceful. He further recalled that the then newly appointed Chief Executive of the Ledzokuku Municipal Assembly (LEKMA) and the newly posted Teshie District Police Commander also appeared before the Traditional Council for the first time and assured the community that they would do everything within their authority to guarantee law and order throughout the celebrations.
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