Newark, New Jersey, in the United States, came alive last Saturday as its Mayor, Ras J. Baraka, joined traditional leaders from Gbese in the Ga State to perform the sacred Ga ritual of sprinkling Kpokpoi during the city’s maiden Homowo celebration.
In a colourful display of tradition and culture, the ceremony brought the cherished Ga custom to the streets of Newark for the first time, giving Ghanaians in the diaspora a rare opportunity to reconnect with their ancestral heritage while introducing the rich traditions of the Ga people to a wider international audience.
The sight of Mayor Baraka joining the traditional ruler for the ceremony added a special dimension to the occasion, demonstrating how cultural festivals could bring communities together, promote mutual understanding and deepen relations between Ghana and the United States.
The four-day event attracted government representatives from both the United States and Ghana, business executives, investors, creatives and members of the Ghanaian community.
A major feature of the programme was the Homowo Business Summit, held at the Robert Treat Hotel, which focused on the theme: “From Heritage to Prosperity: Unlocking Accra’s Land, Enterprise and Investment Potential."
The summit opened discussions on opportunities in property development, manufacturing, entrepreneurship and cross-border investment, as participants explored ways to strengthen commercial relations between Ghanaian and American businesses.
Mr Baraka invited Ghanaian businesses and investors to explore opportunities in the United States, particularly in Newark.
He said the city was ready to open its doors to Ghanaian businesses and investors to forge partnerships, create new markets and contribute to economic growth, while encouraging businesses from Newark to also explore opportunities in Ghana.
“We want to be able to come over and invest in the continent, in Ghana specifically, and have our businesses begin to open up opportunities for work, growth and industry on the continent,” he said.
Discussions at the summit also turned the spotlight on challenges confronting Ghana’s property sector, including land disputes, multiple sales, inadequate documentation and development in flood-prone areas.
Participants stressed the need for transparency, proper due diligence and stronger investor protection to build confidence and attract more investment into the sector.
Gbese delegation
Nii Armah Okpah II, who led the Ghanaian delegation, said Gbese was ready for business and urged the Ghanaian diaspora to take advantage of the opportunities available and invest back home.
He said Gbese was not only an important traditional area in the Ga State but also had a large number of communities with vast land and resources waiting to be developed.
The creative economy also featured prominently, with industry stakeholders examining intellectual property protection, access to finance and opportunities to take Ghanaian music, fashion and other creative products to international markets.
The cultural celebrations culminated in a commemorative dinner in honour of the late Gbese Mantse, Nii Ayi Bonte II.
The event incorporated the ‘Oobakɛ Experience’, a cultural initiative curated by the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Development Company, Naomi Borley Alabi, which sought to connect traditional heritage with contemporary Ghanaian entertainment.
Performances by musicians and other entertainers, including Darkovibes, Gasmilla, Jupiter and Mix Master Garzy, added colour to the evening, bringing together different generations through music and shared cultural expression.
