History was made at the AMUFEST 2024 launch held in Accra on Saturday, September 7, 2024, as one major highlight was the presence of Otumfuor Baidoo Bonsoe XVI (Ahantahene), the overlord of the Ahanta Kingdom, who chaired the event. According to Okusie Kpornuglo, Chief of Avatime Dzokpe, who delivered a speech on behalf of Osie Adza Tekpor VII, the overlord of the Avatime Traditional Area, historical records indicate that the Ahanta community was the first settlement of their forebears following their migration from South Sudan through Mesopotamia and Sub-Sahara Africa to the Gold Coast (now Ghana).
What compelled their forefathers to depart from the Ahanta area remains unknown, although records show they coexisted peacefully with the local community. This has sparked conversations about a possible blood relationship between the natives of Avatime (known locally as Kedeone) and their Ahanta counterparts. From Ahanta, the Kedeone journeyed through various ethnic communities, including Ashanti, Akwamu, Ada, and Kpetoe, cultivating brown rice at temporary settlements.
The Avatime Traditional Council extended an invitation to the Ahanta Traditional Council to the launch of AMUFEST 2024, seeking to reignite their ancestral bond. Otumfuor Baidoo Bonsoe XVI, who attended with a large entourage, expressed his deep gratitude for the invitation and recognition of their shared heritage. He believes this has forged a strong bond between the people of Avatime and Ahanta, and he looks forward to celebrating AMUFEST 2024 with the people of Avatime.
This year’s edition of AMUFEST is scheduled for November 4-10, 2024, at Avatime Gbadzeme with a grand durbar on Saturday, November 9, under the theme ‘Sustaining Avatime as a climate-resilient community through mountain brown rice production, culture, and eco-tourism.’
