YEAR OF RETURN: Aburi’s Regeneration Concert records impeccable performances in a marijuana-filled atmosphere

The Aburi Botanical Gardens on the February 9, 2019 hosted the African Culture and Wellness Festival (ACAWF) as part of the events lined up for the 2019 Ghana’s Year of Return.

The festival started with an early morning health walk challenge from the Ayi Mensah Police Station to the Aburi Gardens.

Health Walk Challenge PHOTO: GTA

The ACAWF continued with an exhibition where exhibitors displayed Cultural Arts, Books, Music, Fashion and Health products. There were lots to eat and drink. The Healers Village at the Festival provided participants with healing services: massage, reflexology and Reiki. There was a spiritual consultancy services too available.

The festival was climaxed with a Regeneration Concert which witnessed incredible performances from musicians home and the diaspora.

The concert which was hosted by Hitz FM’s King Lagazee and Seestah Imarkhus Okofo began with a performance by a Djembe Drummer followed by Aburi-based Gye Nyame Cultural Group who treated audience with great acrobatic displays.

With majority of audience smoking Marijuana to fill the atmosphere with its smoke and smell, musicians John Christian, Afia Khalia, Nananom Band, Oyaida band, Jahwi and Oga Chux took turns to put up impeccable performances while patrons dance and sing along. “We smoking high grade wee” by Oga Chux lighted several marijuana rolls.

Stephen Da Poet had a bad night; he forgot his poem. He tried to recall them by repeating lines but proved futile.

The fun doubled when Poet and radio personality Mutabaruka wowed the audience with his poets and lectures. He reminded Africans the need to stay true to their values and appreciate the good things they have so as not to throw them away for the whites.

In attendance included Samia Nkrumah, Kofi Adomah of KOFI TV, CEO of Ghana Tourism Authority Akwasi Aboagye, a member from the Right of Return Planning Committee, and many others.

The annual festival in its 5th edition, was created by Dr. SharitaYazid, Naturopath, New Body Products Ghana Chief Operating Officer and a repatriate to Africa.

A group of natural healers, master African dance/drum instructors and fitness experts were consulted to help create this festival to deliver a sound platform for years to come.