Kwahu ooo Kwahu is the chorus you hear on most radio stations in Greater Accra and all the radio stations in the  Eastern Region of Ghana from a month or more before Easter.

Easter Kwahu Traffic

Easter Kwahu Traffic

Even though Adom FM, a private radio station in Accra is credited to have popularised the Easter celebration in Kwahu, lately most radio stations are trying to out do them in who “rocks” Kwahu better.

Easter is a christian festivity that remembers and celebrates the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ but the people of Kwahu in the Eastern Region and some parts of the Volta Region celebrate it as a festival. Kwahu has become synonymous with it. kwahu carnival

Every year, thousands of people troop to the Kwahu mountains to have fun. It is reported that 2 months to the Easter, people who plan to be in Kwahu need to reserve their hotels or will have to either sleep in their private cars or rent tents and mattresses to sleep.  Residents also cash in on the celebration by renting their rooms to stranded fun lovers.

Fun in the air

Fun in the air

The celebration starts on Friday and last through to Monday. From Friday the streets of Obo, Obomeng and Mpraeso are choked with human traffic.

Businesses take advantage of the huge numbers to sell or introduce their products. From soft drinks to alcoholic beverages, from condoms to chewing gums. Telecommunication networks are not left out. This year all the major telecom companies in Ghana were present. Offering recharge cards to mobile money transfer services.

Food vendors won’t be left out, they provide all the Ghanaian delicacies and the famous Bat (Dankwansre) soup and fufu which the Kwahu’s are famous for.  kwahu food

Prostitution is illegal in Ghana but prostitutes will not be left out of this huge gathering of people who are drinking and partying till late night. A situation which has compelled the chiefs of the various towns to complain about the need to keep the sanctity of Easter.

Did I forget Easter picnics, retreats and conventions by churches? Most churches organise such events to draw peoples attention to the significance of the death and the resurrection of Christ and the need to stay sin-free.

kwahuWhatever, the reason you travel to Kwahu during Easter, you will enjoy yourself either the paragliding in Atibie, relaxation in a hotel, live band music from seasoned highlife singers or the street carnivals by the various radio stations you sure will be coming back for more.

Don’t worry about your safety as a team of police and military are deployed to ensure your safety and security at all times.

Till then Kwahu ooooo Kwahu.

Gyasi Appiah