A People Without Culture  Have No Direction – Osahen Afenyo-Markin

Osahen Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the Minority Leader and Member of Parliament for Effutu, has called on Ghanaians to preserve and promote their cultural heritage, warning that a society without cultural roots lacks direction and purpose.

During the 2026 Aboakyer Festival on Saturday May 2, Afenyo-Markin stepped out in his full regalia as the Osahen of Effutu to perform the sacred obligations of the traditional office he occupies.

As Osahen, he is the Chief Warrior of the Effutu State and Commander-in-Chief of the two Asafo Companies; of Tuafo No. 1 and Dentsifo No. 2.

It also maned him the traditional liaison between the Asafo Companies and the Paramount Chief.  The position of Osahen is not a chieftaincy title but a highly revered traditional position bestowed on only illustrious sons of the soil who have displaying courage and moral fortitude in the pursuit of a noble cause.

Speaking to the media during the 2026 Aboakyer Festival celebration in Winneba, Osahen the Effutu MP urged citizens to take pride in their traditions and resist any attempts by groups or individuals to condemn or downplay Ghanaian culture.

“A person without cultural identity has nothing to aspire for,” Afenyo-Markin declared, framing cultural preservation as fundamental to national ambition and individual purpose.

Describing the Aboakyer Festival as a “repository of identity, resistance, continuity and shared memory,” the Minority Leader emphasized that the celebration transcends mere festivity. He noted that the festival functions as a system of knowledge transmitted through rituals, storytelling, and community participation.

Culture as a ‘living institutional system’

In an address on Saturday May 2 during the climax of the festival, Osahen Afenyo-Markin highlighted the role of cultural institutions as informal governance structures that promote discipline, unity, and social cohesion beyond formal political systems.

“Culture is not merely an inherited asset,” he stated. “It is a living institutional system that shapes values, influences behaviour and determines development.”

The MP stressed that cultural preservation must be integrated into broader development strategies and identity formation, arguing that culture remains a key pillar of both national identity and progress.

A call for unity

The Minority Leader commended the people of Winneba for a peaceful and successful celebration of this year’s festival, noting that such unity reflects the strength and resilience of Ghanaian traditions.

He extended greetings to the people of Effutu and encouraged all Ghanaians to unite in safeguarding the nation’s heritage, warning against any forces that seek to undermine the country’s cultural foundations.

The 2026 Aboakyer Festival, celebrated under the theme “advancing our cultural heritage for development”, drew thousands of participants and spectators. The annual festival celebrates the migration of the Effutu people and their traditional deer-hunting heritage, a practice that has survived for centuries and remains a source of immense pride for the Winneba community.

Osahen Afenyo-Markin was seen during the festivities chanting traditional songs and dancing with the Asafo groups.

For the people of Effutu, it was a historic moment over the weekend: after a 300-year hiatus, an Osahen once again performed his vital role in the Aboakyer festival. And that significant role was played by none other than the area’s incumbent Member of Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin.

As tradition requires, the Osahen does not join the general procession through the main streets. Instead, he sits in state at the palace in full regalia, awaiting the Asafo Companies to come and pay homage to him.

His duty is to ensure that all the requisite protocols are fully observed before the Omanhene (the Paramount Chief) appears in public during the festival.