Sirigu Unveils Azuko Festival and Celebrates a Decade of Remarkable Traditional Leadership
The Sirigu Traditional Area in the Upper East Region of Ghana came alive with colour, drumming, dancing, and cultural pride as it hosted a grand durbar to officially launch two landmark events: the 10th Anniversary of the enskinment of the Paramount Chief, Naba Atogumdeya Roland Akwara III, and the inaugural Azuko Festival, scheduled for December 2025.
Held at the Sirigu Chief’s Palace, the event drew a large gathering of traditional rulers, elders, queen mothers, youth groups, opinion leaders, and residents from across the region and beyond.
The occasion served as a unifying moment to reflect on a decade of transformative traditional leadership and to usher in a new annual festival that celebrates the community’s ancestral heritage.
Delivering the chief’s message at the ceremony, Mr. Stanislaus Nyaaba Nsoh, a leading member of the planning committee, described the launch as a pivotal cultural milestone.
“This joint celebration heralds a season of reflection, unity, and cultural pride. These two events stand as enduring symbols of our identity and achievements,” he remarked. He further explained that the chosen theme; “A Decade of Leadership, Unity, and Development”, reflects Naba Akwara III’s unwavering commitment to community advancement.
In a heartfelt speech, Naba Akwara III expressed deep appreciation to the Almighty God, the gods and spirits of Sirigu, his elders, queen mothers, and the people for their support throughout his ten-year reign.
“Our journey has been one of peace, humility, and the collective pursuit of development. I am eternally grateful for the love and loyalty of my people,” he said.
A major highlight of the announcement was the introduction of the Azuko Festival — a new cultural celebration named after Azuko, the revered founding ancestor of Sirigu.
According to oral tradition, Azuko migrated from present-day Burkina Faso and established the Sirigu community centuries ago.
“Azuko was more than a settler,” Naba Akwara III noted. “He was a seed, a seed of courage, vision, and unity that blossomed into the community we cherish today.”
The festival, which will be celebrated in December, is expected to become an annual platform to celebrate Sirigu’s history, arts, and values through traditional performances, storytelling, exhibitions, and rituals.
Organizers said it will also boost tourism and offer an opportunity for youth engagement and cultural education.
The Upper East Regional Minister, Hon. Donatus Atanga Akamugri, who was the guest of honour, paid glowing tribute to the chief’s leadership. “Your ten-year journey on the skin has been marked by calm wisdom, dignity, and an unwavering sense of duty. You have championed education, women’s empowerment, peace, and the preservation of our cherished cultural identity,” he said.
The event also featured traditional music and dances performed by local cultural troupes, while guests were treated to indigenous cuisine and a display of Sirigu’s famous pottery and artworks.
As the community looks forward to the December festivities, the dual celebration is expected to reinforce Sirigu’s position as a beacon of tradition, resilience, and progressive leadership in northern Ghana.
Source: Joseph Napoleon Anaaya/expressnewsghana.com/Sirigu
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