Accra: The chiefs and people of Ehi in the Ketu North Municipality have observed their traditional ‘Ancestral Walk’, a sacred cultural procession held on the eve of the 2025 Ehi Nutome Gali Za. The procession was to honour their ancestors and seek their blessings for a successful celebration.
According to Ghana News Agency, the walk, which took place late Friday, September 26, 2026, drew hundreds of participants including chiefs, elders, youth, and women, all clad in symbolic white calico cloth to signify purity, unity, and reverence. The community gathered in solemnity, moving through designated ancestral routes to pay homage and ask permission from their forebears before the commencement of the main festival.
Togbui Dzeble Adukpo IV, the Chief of Ehi and Head of Ehi Division of Weta Traditional Area, explained that the Ancestral Walk is an important cultural rite and forms the second of the ninth festival celebration. He noted that although the practice had faded in past years, it was deliberately reintroduced to restore its significance in preserving the rich cultural identity of the Ehi people. ‘Culture is the identity of a people. By walking together in honour of our ancestors, we strengthen our bond as a community and showcase who we are to the outside world,’ he said, urging the youth to value and uphold traditions.
During the procession, Mr. Victor Ameamu, a respected opinion leader, narrated the history behind the name Ehi, recounting how the community’s forefathers settled on the land and the origins of their traditions. This provided an opportunity for younger generations to connect with their roots and appreciate their heritage.
Several participants described the event as both spiritual and exciting. Madam Emma Alevi, a resident who joined the procession, told Ghana News Agency (GNA) that the walk was ‘a beautiful reminder of our culture and a chance to come together as one people.’
The Ehi Nutome Gali Za, a festival celebrated annually, highlights the area’s unique contribution to the production of Gali, a staple made from cassava and widely consumed across Africa and beyond. Beyond its agricultural significance, the festival serves as a platform to showcase culture, promote unity, and foster community development initiatives.
This year’s ancestral walk, according to the elders, is expected to set the tone for a vibrant and successful festival, attracting both indigenes and visitors to celebrate Ehi’s cultural pride and development agenda.