The grand durbar of this year's Dorm Divisional Ngmayem Festival, one of the most anticipated cultural events in the Manya-Krobo Traditional Area of the Eastern Region, is set to take place on Thursday, October 30, 2025 with renewed focus on tradition, education, and community wellbeing.

Chairman of the festival planning committee John Tetteh Atter speaking during the launch in Kpongunor on Sunday, September 21, 2025 said, this year’s edition will be different, offering participants an opportunity to witness and relive the ancient customs of their forefathers while addressing some of today’s social and developmental needs.

Preserving Culture Through Tradition

At the official launch of the festival, the Planning Committee chairman who is also the Assemblymember for Kpongunor-South Electoral Area emphasized that the Ngmayem Festival is not an occasion for indulgence or immorality but a sacred moment to reflect, celebrate, and preserve Krobo identity.

According to him, this year’s celebration will include re-enactments of old traditions once performed by ancestors in the Krobo Mountains. These activities are designed to give the youth a practical appreciation of their heritage, ensuring that cultural knowledge is passed down from generation to generation.

“The festival is not about drunkenness or immorality but about learning and preserving our culture,” the committee chairman stressed. “Those who intend to come for the wrong reasons must rethink, as police will be in charge of security. We encourage everyone to come with the mindset of learning and celebrating our heritage.”

Call for Unity and Participation

Speaking at the launch, Nene Lanor II, Asawatse of Manya-Kpongunor, who represented the Divisional Chief, Nene Baah Mualla III, extended a hand of invitation to the people of Dorm both home and abroad to return for this year’s festivities.

“We have no quarrels with anyone; we only wish for peace and unity. Let us all come together and make this year’s festival memorable,” he said.

Beyond the cultural performances, there will be a Mini Durbar and the grand durbar of chiefs and people, accompanied by drumming, dancing, and traditional displays.

The festival is expected to attract thousands of residents and visitors, including Krobo indigenes living abroad.

Education and Social Initiatives

This year’s edition also carries a strong social focus. Teenage girls will receive education on menstrual hygiene to promote healthy practices among the youth. In addition, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) will take advantage of the festival to issue licenses to commercial motorcycle operators, legitimizing their activities and improving road safety.

Health remains a priority on the festival calendar. Free health screenings will be provided for residents, alongside the renewal of National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) cards, ensuring community members have access to essential health services.

Calls for Modernization and Development

Former NDC Constituency Chairman for Lower Manya Krobo, David Walter Hormenu, called for a rebranding of the festival to strike a balance between modernity and tradition, noting that this would make it more attractive to the younger generation and outsiders. He further expressed hope that the celebrations would promote peace and cohesion among the people.

Hormenu, however, used the occasion to highlight the poor state of roads in the area, describing them as deplorable and a major hindrance to development.

“It is unfortunate that government has neglected our roads since assuming power. The MP should be leading this agitation in Parliament, not waiting for another election year,” he said.

A Unique Celebration Ahead

With its blend of cultural revival, social education, and health initiatives, the 2025 Dorm Ngmayem Festival promises to be one of the most unique celebrations in recent memory.

The event is expected to reinforce the Krobo people’s sense of identity, foster unity, and serve as a reminder that culture is not only to be celebrated but also to be lived and preserved.

For the organisers, the message is clear: the Ngmayem Festival is more than drumming and dancing — it is a living tradition that continues to bind communities together while adapting to the needs of the modern age.