Odumase-krobo: Mr. Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi, the Deputy Minister for the Interior and Member of Parliament for Lower Manya Krobo, has extended support to the traditional authorities and people of Manya Krobo ahead of this year's Ngmayem Festival. The Ngmayem Festival is a celebration of cultural and spiritual significance for the Krobo people.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Terlabi made a donation to the Paramount Chief of the Manya Krobo Traditional Area, Nene Sakite II, and the Traditional Council in the Eastern Region. The donation included 20 bags of rice, gallons of cooking oil, cattle, assorted alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, and a cash amount of ?10,000 to support activities marking the festival. Additionally, the MP contributed ?5,000.00 toward the Yokama Program, a key highlight of the Ngmayem Festival that brings together youth and community groups to showcase Krobo culture through music, dance, and drama.
Presenting the items at the forecourt of the Paramount Chief's Palace in Odumase-Krobo, Mr. Terlabi noted that the donation was part of his annual commitment to supporting the traditional authorities in sustaining the festival, which serves as a unifying platform for development and cultural pride. He emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and unity during the celebration, urging the youth to uphold the values and customs of the Krobo people. "Ngmayem is more than a festival, it's a reminder of our heritage and our strength as a people. Supporting it means supporting our identity," he said.
Receiving the items, Nene Sakite II expressed gratitude to the Minister for his continuous support over the years. He commended the MP for his dedication to the welfare of the Krobo people and his contribution toward the success of the festival. The Paramount Chief also appealed to the Municipal Chief Executive for Lower Manya Krobo, Mr. John Atteh Matey, and the MP to ensure regular watering of roads within the municipality to reduce dust, especially during the festival period. "The Traditional Council is grateful for the donation and support. We also urge that electricity remains stable and the roads be consistently watered during and after the celebration," Nene Sackite said.
This year's Ngmayem Festival is expected to attract thousands of participants, including dignitaries, tourists, and indigenes from across Ghana and beyond. The Ngmayem Festival is the most important traditional celebration of the Manya and Yilo Krobo people. Held annually, usually in October, it marks the end of the harvest season and gives thanks to the gods and ancestors for a successful millet harvest, the staple crop of the Krobo people. The name 'Ngmayem' is derived from the Krobo words 'Ngma,' meaning millet, and 'Yem,' meaning to eat, literally translating to 'Eating of Millet.'
The festival symbolizes gratitude, unity, and renewal among the Krobo people, who gather from far and near to celebrate their heritage. The celebration dates back centuries, when Krobo ancestors first settled around the Krobo Mountains and depended heavily on millet farming for survival. To honor the gods for abundant yields, they established the Ngmayem Festival as a time of thanksgiving, communal sharing, music, and dance. Today, it has evolved into a major cultural event featuring traditional rites, drumming, dancing, durbars of chiefs, and colorful displays of Krobo customs and attire, promoting peace, unity, and tourism across Krobo land.
