The Techiman Traditional Council has officially launched the 2026 Apoɔ Festival, marking the return of the cultural event after a six-year break caused by COVID-19 restrictions since 2019.
The launch ceremony was held at the Ohene Ameyaw Palace in Techiman, the Bono East Regional capital, and brought together chiefs of the Techiman Traditional Council, security agencies, representatives of political parties, politicians, market leaders, youth groups, civil society organisations, and residents.
Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the Apoɔ Festival Planning Committee, Nana Apenten Fosu Gyeabour, who is also the Techiman Baamuhene, announced that the 2026 Apoɔ Festival will be celebrated in March.
He described the festival as an important cultural and spiritual platform for preserving the customs, values, and identity of the Techiman people.
He said this year’s celebration will be held under the theme, “Showcasing Our Heritage and Uniting for Our Ancestral Blessings,” which reflects the need for unity, cultural pride, and reflection as the people reconnect with their heritage after years of disruption.
The Techiman Maawerɛhene, Nana Opoku Gyeabour, appealed to residents, particularly the youth, to actively support the festival and ensure its success. He noted that several activities will be held throughout the festival week to highlight the significance of Apoɔ and promote Ghanaian culture.
He explained that Apoɔ was instituted as a sacred period of cleansing, reconciliation, and renewal, during which community members confessed wrongdoings, settled disputes, and sought forgiveness from one another and the ancestors.
According to him, the festival is traditionally marked by rituals and libation performed by chiefs and elders to honour the ancestors and the gods of the land. These rites are meant to purify the town, strengthen communal bonds, and reaffirm loyalty to traditional authority.
He added that the Apoɔ Festival also serves as a reminder of moral discipline, truthfulness, and unity among the people of Techiman.
