The people of Nuaso Korlenya in the Manya Krobo Traditional Area of the Eastern Region have launched a maiden homecoming celebration, dubbed We Bami, to strengthen unity among indigenes and mobilise support for the development of their ancestral community.

The four-day celebration, which commenced on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, is being held under the theme, “Celebrating Our Culture and Tradition in Unity Towards Development.”

The grand durbar, held on Saturday, October 31, brought together traditional authorities, elders, indigenes from various parts of the country and other stakeholders to celebrate their shared cultural heritage and discuss ways of advancing the community's development.

Addressing the gathering, Nene Kunimyelor Teye Sikpitorku Tetteh, Seyelor of Nuaso Korlenya, who spearheaded the initiative, said the homecoming celebration was conceived to bring together people of Nuaso Korlenya, strengthen relationships and encourage collective responsibility towards community development.

He explained that the theme underscored the importance of collective support and collaboration in achieving meaningful development.

According to Nene Kunimyelor Teye Sikpitorku Tetteh, the initiative also seeks to reconnect indigenes, particularly those who have travelled outside their ancestral community, with their cultural roots and encourage them to contribute their knowledge, skills and resources towards its progress.

“Our aim is to unite Nuaso Korlenya and bring our people together to know one another, understand what each person does and identify how best we can support each other and develop our community,” he said.

The traditional leader noted that the community had people in various professions, including individuals occupying influential positions in leading institutions, whose expertise and experience could be harnessed to mentor younger generations.

Seyelor disclosed that plans were underway to establish a comprehensive database of Nuaso Korlenya indigenes, capturing their professions and areas of expertise to facilitate networking, mentorship and other development initiatives.

He expressed the hope that the initiative would help produce more professionals, including engineers and doctors, from the community in the coming years.

Plans to institutionalise celebration

Seyelor said the maiden celebration would become an annual event, with plans to expand it into a fully-fledged cultural festival from 2027.

He explained that the organisers intended to incorporate aspects of the community's traditional rites into the festival to educate younger generations about their cultural identity and the significance of their customs.

He described Nuaso Korlenya as a people with a shared ancestry, identity and cultural heritage, comprising several divisions and settlements within the Krobo traditional area.

He commended the traditional elders and members of the organising committee for supporting the initiative and helping to organise what he described as a successful maiden celebration.

Culture, health and community engagement

The celebration featured several activities, including a clean-up exercise, health screening, a health walk, health education, an open forum, musical performances and a grand durbar.

Indigenous foods were also displayed as part of efforts to preserve traditional culinary practices and educate younger generations about local foods and their preparation.

Nene Kunimyelor Teye Sikpitorku Tetteh, said the food exhibition was intended to remind the younger generation of the community's traditional dietary practices and encourage appreciation of indigenous foods.

He added that the open forum provided an opportunity for residents and indigenes to deliberate on challenges confronting the community and explore practical solutions to accelerate development.

Calls on indigenes to return home

The community leader called on Nuaso Korlenya indigenes, both in Ghana and abroad, to reconnect with their ancestral home and contribute to its development.

He stressed that the responsibility of developing the community rested on its people and could not be left entirely to external interventions.

“I am calling on the people of Nuaso Korlenya, both home and abroad, to come home so we can develop our community. It is our community, and nobody will develop it for us. We must come together and work for the common good of all,” he said.

He further urged the younger generation to embrace their cultural heritage, insisting that there was nothing wrong with their customs and traditions.

According to him, preserving the community's cultural identity would help strengthen unity, foster a sense of belonging and promote sustainable development.

The maiden We Bami homecoming celebration is expected to lay the foundation for a broader annual gathering that will bring together Nuaso Korlenya indigenes, identify development opportunities and strengthen the community's cultural identity.